A splendid performance from the inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas saw the Gunners thrash the Portuguese side Sporting Braga 6-0 in their opening match of the champions league.
The Gunners went into the match with 3 changes to the side that beat Bolton 4-1 at the weekend Nasri started in place of Rosicky, Clichy and Sagna were back in the starting line up in place of Kieran Gibbs & Eboue after being rested for the Bolton tie.
Braga, the Portuguese debutants, went into the match with no casualties and high on confidence after beating the likes of Celtic & Sevilla in the qualifying rounds of the Champions league.
The Gunners started the match brightly and were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 3rd minute of the game when Fabregas was brought down inside the penalty box by defender Paulo Cesar but were soon rewarded with another one as this time a superb through ball from Cesc Fabregas saw Chamakh in a one-on-one situation with the keeper who brought him down inside the penalty box.
The Inspirational skipper stepped up to take the penalty and dispatched the same with ease which saw the keeper go the right way but for the accuracy & precision of the kick! , his first goal of the season in Arsenal colours!
The Gunners were rampant now and were at their very best playing the wonderful passing game and were soon rewarded with a 2nd goal in the 30th minute as Fabregas displayed wonderful bit of footwork beating two defenders to slip the ball in from the left to Arshavin inside the box who completed the brilliant move with a clinical finish as the keeper was beaten at the near post.
The rout continued as another brilliant move saw a wonderful chip from Arshavin pick out Chamakh who played a one-two with Wilshere and his smart back-heel found Chamakh inside the box who completed the move with a cool and calm finish!
At this point of time the Portuguese side was absolutely helpless hoping for the half time whistle to be blown as early as possible and by hook or by crook they managed to get to the half time without further humiliation!
The second half saw Arsenal continue their domination and there was little respite for the debutants as Fabregas headed in the 4th, ,his 2nd of the match and 50th goal for Arsenal from a wonderful chip from the left wing by Arshavin.
It was by far turning out to be the captain's night who was outstanding throughout the match and came very close to getting his hat-trick just moments later as a wonderful pass from Arshavin met the captain who tried to chip the ball over the keeper but for a brilliant save from keeper followed by an acrobatic goal line clearance from defender Moises.
It was point of damage control now for Braga as Arsenal went on a rampage and it was again Fabregas who slid in a brilliant pass to Arshavin from the right flank which saw him rattle the post but only after 2 minutes Arshavin slipped in a pass which saw Vela who came in for Chamakh finish off the move with his trademark chip over the keeper into the net!
5-0 in just 69 minutes and it looked as if Arsenal were going for betterment of the 8-0 record in the Champions league held by Liverpool.
The spectators were in for the time of their lives as another brilliant pass from Fabregas was met by Carlos vela inside the box who caught the goalkeeper wrong footed and slotted in the 6th and his 2nd of the night to complete the rout.
An emphatic victory, thorough entertainment and perfect football, what else can you ask from a football match!
The Gunners boss would have been delighted with the performances of Wilshere along with Chamakh and more so with the fact that there were no injuries after the game!
The Braga boss would consider himself lucky to get away with 6-0 scoreline which could have been much worse!
A debut in the champions league, a night to forget!
Man of the Match: Cesc Fabregas: The little Spaniard did it again with scintillating performances back to back. He was by far the best player on the pitch providing wonderful through balls and accurate passes, setting up two goals and scoring two himself, no matter Wenger will be happy as the heart of the Team is back to his best!
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