The Togo international showed all of his class to hook home a spectacular overhead kick, handing Arsenal a 1-1 draw and leaving Villarreal frustrated.
A stunning goal from
Emmanuel Adebayor gave
Arsenal a crucial away goal and helped them to a 1-1 draw with
Villarreal at El Madrigal tonight.It what was a pulsating encounter, Marcos Senna had drilled Los Submarinos Amarillos into an early lead with a vicious strike, before Arsenal lost both Manuel Almunia and William Gallas to injury.However, the Gunners improved after the break, and Adebayors’ incredibly astute finish sealed an away draw that leaves the Londoners in pole position to go through to the semi-finals.First HalfManuel Pellegrini resisted the temptation to give veteran Robert Pires a starting slot against his former employers, instead opting for the fit again Cani and former Mallorca playmaker Ariel Ibagaza on the flanks to deliver to Giuseppi Rossi and Joseba Llorente up front.Arsene Wenger meanwhile in the absence of Robin van Persie to injury and Andrei Arshavin as a result of his participation with Zenit St Petersburg, opted for a five man midfield. Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri were given the task of supporting lone frontman Emmanuel Adebayor.It was the Spaniards who started with a flourish. Gonzalo could, and perhaps should have nodded the home side in front after only two minutes, but could only direct the ball straight into the grateful arms of Almunia.But the breakthrough wasn’t long before Los Sumbarinos Amarillos made a truly stunning breakthrough, thanks to the inspirational Marcos Senna.The 32-year old knocked the ball a few feet in front at the edge of the area before unleashing a missile that exploded into Alimunia’s net giving the Arsenal ‘keeper absolutely no hope. It was a wonderful goal.Arsene Wengers’ side responded well to going behind though, and managed to get a foothold in the match. The pace of Walcott was proving to be a useful outlet as Fabregas looked to thread the young Englishman in on goal whenever possible.Soon after, Samir Nasri warmed the gloves of Diego Lopez with a snapshot low down, but the Uruguayan stopper exhibited sharp reactions to save well.But the Gunners’ resurgence was dealt a blow when Almunia, who had been involved in what appeared to be an innocuous clash with Rossi in the opening seconds, had suffered irreparable damage and had to be replaced by rookie Lukasz Fabianski. The 21-year old had only made 18 previous appearances for the first-team, but he was a given a rapid introduction to the fray as Senna drilled another powerful effort on goal. The young Pole though got down superbly to save, and as full-back Joan Capdevila steamrollered in to shoot, he blocked instinctively with his body to keep Villarreal at bay. Welcome to the Champions League, Lukasz.For such a critical match, it was an irrepressibly open affair, and as half-time approached Arsenal were thrown into disarray as William Gallas hobbled off clutching his hamstring to be replaced by Johann Djourou. Their injury woes had been compounded, and Villarreal smelt blood from a wounded opponent.Cani struck over from the edge of the box after good combination play from Rossi and Angel had fashioned the opening, and although no more goals were forthcoming before the break, coach Pellegrini took his side to the dressing safe in the knowledge that his side were far the better side in the opening 45 minutes.Second HalfMati Fernandez replaced Cani at the break as Villarreal prepared to chase what could potentially be a pivotal second goal. Arsenal meanwhile had to decide whether to stick or twist – be content with a one goal loss, and attempt to alter the focus of the tie by grabbing a priceless away goal.And it was the visitors who began with more purpose. Fabregas began to find more of the ball, and dictate the action in the way that Senna had did in the opening period. Adebayor met a Walcott cross with his head, but could only glance his effort wide, and then Nasri blew the opportunity to play in Walcott when his through pass was hopelessly overweight.Villarreal simply hadn’t arrived from the dressing room after half-time, and it came as no surprise when the English side managed to level the match and secure that holy grail of European football, an away goal.If Senna’s blockbuster was special, then the equalizer from Emmanuel Adebayor was simply sublime. Captain Fabregas, who was outstanding in the second half, arrowed a forty yard pass onto the chest of Adebayor, and the Togolese international showed every facet of his athleticism to control the ball and deliver an unstoppable scissors kick that flew into the corner of the net past the helpless Diego Lopez. It was a wonderful equaliser from a player who had spent most of the evening foraging on his own against four defenders.Arsenal were looking to make history; no English side has ever won at El Madrigal, but they sensed Villarreal’s apparent vulnerability since the break, and looked to exploit it with maximum effect. Samir Nasri rushed onto an intelligent knockdown from Adebayor, but could only drive his shot wide.Pellegrini knew his team were toiling, and introduced Pires into the action to attempt to retain possession to relieve some pressure. In a topsy-turvy, end-to-end match, it was Villarreal who finished the match the stronger.Marcos Senna unleashed another
trademark piledriver, but his radar this time was inches out, then Mati Fernandez snaked through onto a pass from Senna but his cut back was slightly behind substitute Guille Franco and the Mexican could not convert.But try as either side might, a winning goal did not arrive, and a draw was ultimately a fair reflection on two attacking outfits who went all-out for the win. Arsenal will feel the more content with the final outcome.Paul Macdonald
The bit-part Milan player has stated that he still a fan of the Arsenal.
