23rd November 2009 Champions League Results: Arsenal 2: Standard Liege 0

23/11/09 Champions League Arsenal 2: 0 Standard Liege

Arsenal went into this clash knowing they only needed one point to qualify, although after the defeat at Sunderland at the weekend and with Chelsea to face to Sunday, a decisive result would be a useful confidence boost.

Despite the gooners being in total control of the first half, it was far from stress free for Arsene Wenger. There is little doubt that the lead was well deserved (a clever Nasri strike and a poor keeper response to an opportunistic Denilson attempt from 30 yards), however a clash of heads which left a shell shocked Gallas with a swollen eye and Arshavin with blood oozing from his head must have got the frenchman worrying about what team he'd be able to field against Chelsea on Sunday. With the league leaders 8 points ahead, Wenger will not want any of his first team joining Van Persie on the injury list. However both players managed to get back on to the pitch before the half time whistle.

Although the Gooners did not boss the second half quite as well as they bossed the first, it was a job well done. Fabregas also demonstrated that at 23 he is a player of maturity as well as talent by not reacting to a headbutt from a frustrated Carcela-Gonzales, which led to the Liege player being shown the red card in the late stages of the game.