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| Left foot wonder...Jack Wilshire |
The winner of this tie knew they would automatically vault to the top of the Group H and all things being equal, stay there for the rest of the first round.
We rightly dominated proceedings, starting with a 4-2-3-1 formation, as has been the case most of the season so far. Most of those who played Birmingham on Saturday were in the team again but the surprise of the night was the reappearance of Cesc Fabregas, since Septmeber 15 when he limped off against Sunderland.
Samir Nasri was up for it and it showed as he sprayed passes and teased the Shakhtar defence endlessly. In the 20th minute, all the hardwork bore fruit as Shakhtar goalie, Pyatov dropped what looked like a rountine cross. Lurking behind him was Djourou who toe-poked the dropped ball onto Song, who toepoked it further into the net.
Nasri got the goal his endeavour deserved with a sweet drive in the 42nd minute. Once again, the excellent Song was involved. He it was that got onto the end of an Eboue pass and lifted it across to Nasri. The lithe Frenchman juggled it at edge of the Shakthar box, deceiving the Shaktar captain and defender Dario Srna before blasting it past the goalie.
Fabregas announced his return with a penalty after the break, while the ever-improving Jack Wilshire scored his first Champions League goal in the 60th minute, before Marouane Chamakh rounded off the slaughter with a cool finish off a Nasri lob.
Ex-Gunner and crowd favourite, Eduardo scored their solitary goal with an accomplished strike - a goal he refused to celebrate and for which the crowd sang his name endlessly.
All in all, it was a creditable night’s work, which a smiling Arsene Wenger acknowledged during the post match interview.
Below are the ratings:
*Fabianski (6/10) – Once again, the Pole continues to enjoy a new lease of life between the sticks. Dealt comfortably with everything that came his way and seems to inspire confidence in the back four as well. Looks very much he is Wenger’s new number one now.
* Clichy (6/10) – A very normal day at the office for Gael. Nothing spectacular. Did all that was required of him and kept the left side of our defence sealed and safe.
*Djourou (7/10) – Surprised to see him start two games in a row now. But he acquitted himself well and surely needs games to lay claim to a starting shirt. Brought about the penalty that led to the third goal by constituting himself into a nuisance in the Shakhtar area.
*Squillaci (7/10) – Commanded his area well and marshalled his troops with calm. Though he wasn’t wearing the armband this time, he still exudes admirable authority and it helped to ease any nerves at the back. Nothing he could do to prevent Eduardo’s smart goal though. Good buy, this one.
* Eboue (7/10) – Helped snuff out any threat that the visitors could muster on the right. Did well all night and his energy levels never dropped. Was involved in the second goal as he linked well with Song. Was also involved in our fifth goal. Good overlapping runs all night.
* Song (8/10) – He was everywhere on the pitch. For stamina, you have to envy this guy. Got us off to a great start with his alertness that brought the goal and fed Nasri with a perfect pass for the second. Alex has certainly come on in leaps and bounds over the past two seasons and last night, he showed once more what he brings to the team.
* Wilshire (8/10) – Partnered Song in the middle and both of them in my opinion, were the men of the match. That they both scored was academical considering their work rate. Jack will miss the next three games for us, but last night, he seemed determined to leave his calling card with driving runs, passes and postioning. Got a fitting goal to crown his night’s work.
* Fabregas (6/10) – The skipper returned a month after scoring that fluke goal against Sunderland and as expected he had a quiet night. Scored the penalty that brought the third goal, which he celebrated with a birthday message for his Mum. He must now be relishing a start against Manchester City, Sunday.
* Nasri (8/10) – A great performance by our little Frenchman. Clearly, he is reborn and has found his groove in this team. Never stopped running. Never stopped probing. Was at the heart of all the good things we did and the fact that he scored a cracker of a goal was due reward for all his endeavour. Watch out for this bloke, this season.
* Rosicky (6/10) – A surprise starter, considering that Abou Diaby was left on the bench. Did alot of running and supported Fabregas and Nasri. Supplied the crucial pass that led to Wilshire’s goal. Nice touches between those two.
* Chamakh (7/10) – This man has definitely got goals in him and his record of scoring in six straight Champions League games, surely confirms that. He rounded off our onslaught for the night and it puts him in a nice frame to come face to face with the man he was bought to replace – a certain Emmanuel Adebayor – next Sunday.
Substitutes
• Denilson (6/10) – Came on for a tiring Fabregas in the 60th minute and was involved in the build up to the Chamakh goal. With the emergence of Wilshire though and the abundance of midfielders available to Wenger, it must be said that the Brazilian is now definitely a squad member.
• Walcott (6/10) Starred in a late cameo role as we saw out the game and conserved energy for the battle against Mancehrster City on Sunday. He is being eased back gradually and will get a chance to rediscover his early season form sooner than later.
• Arshavin (6/10) – He replaced Nasri and did no more than was expected of him.
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