Dynamo Fabgrabs Double

Parade
By Boris Mellor
August 9 2006

Much of the first half was played at a slow tempo, hardly surprising as Zagreb often had 3 centre backs and only one man up. Arsenal had much of the possession, but little idea how to unlock a packed defence. Meanwhile Zagreb occasionally broke away in a menacing and dangerous fashion.

 Arsenal’s defence was hesitant at time, but hardly surprising, as this was yet another new back four, Eboue, Toure, Djourou and Hoyte, that had not played together before. they also only had one defensive midfielder in front of them. However as the game continued their confidence grew. Djourou in particular grew in stature.

In the second half Zagreb finally realised they were the home team and began to apply more pressure on Arsenal. Wenger, before the game, had given the impression he would settle for a draw, and I must admit I began to wonder where a goal was coming from, even fear a Dinamo goal.

Then on 63 minutes van Persie picked up the ball in the penalty area, pushed it out wide to Fabregas who smashed it home. Now Zagreb did something they hadn’t done all match, flooded the Arsenal half with players. Afterwards they probably remembered just why they had avoided doing that. With the Gunners pushed back Hleb spotted van Persie deep in the Dinamo half, and passed the ball over the whole of the Zagreb team. Van Persie beat the sole remaining defender and comfortably beat the goalkeeper. Just like the 55 bus you wait ages for one, then two turn up all at once. It was 64 minutes exactly.

Now Arsenal had complete control of the game, anything else would be a bonus, that came on 79 minutes when Fabulous Fabregas weaved and dribbled his way past several defenders to send the ball into the far corner of the net.

Only five of the team that had started in the CL final started last night, and it was one of Wenger’s youngest teams yet. This was a job very well done indeed. Wenger will have more options for the second leg, but some of those can rest on the bench.