Time zone: US/Eastern | Register | Login
Search:

Dramatic Aaron Ramsey Winner Puts Arsenal Top of UEFA Champions League Group F

Stewart Flaherty, October 20 2011,
A stoppage time winning goal from young Welshman Aaron Ramsey moved Arsenal above Olympique de Marseille at the top of Group F.
Aaron Ramsey fires home the winning goal for Arsenal during stoppage time.
Aaron Ramsey fires home the winning goal for Arsenal during stoppage time.
Related Content:
UEFA Champions League
Related Articles: UEFA Champions League, Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey
Sergio Aguero had given Manchester City victory the previous day with a stoppage time goal, and this time Ramsey stepped up to give Arsenal an equally dramatic victory.

The Gunners came into this game two points behind then group leaders Marseille, and now sit top and have given themselves a strong chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.

The first half was a cagey affair, with the biggest chance of note coming when Robin van Persie had a looping header cleared off the goal line by Souleymane Diawara.

Arsenal also created the first scoring chance of the second half when Theo Walcott’s low drive was saved well by Steve Mandanda.

Loic Remy threatened at the other end when he blew past Per Mertesacker only to have his goalbound shot blocked by Carl Jenkinson.

With only minutes remaining Mandana produced another quality save to block Van Persie’s powerful shot.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw Ramsey stepped up to steal all three points for the Gunners. Johan Djourou swung a cross in from the right flank, and Gervinho set up Ramsey to fire home and spark wild celebrations among the travelling Arsenal fans.

The win sees Arsenal sit atop the group with the next two games being played at home to Marseille and last placed Borussia Dortmund.

In a turbulent season which sees Arsenal currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, Champions League success will be a welcome sign of progress for under-fire boss Arsene Wenger.

“We’ve taken a little step forward. We’re a team that has to continue to grow and have lost only once in six matches. We are slowly getting there,” Wenger told BBC Sport. For the qualification it’s a very important goal, for the confidence as well.”

Arsenal’s next two matches are a home Premier League clash with Stoke City, before they play host to Bolton Wanderers in Carling Cup action. Two victories will be an important confident boost before they travel to face Chelsea in a crucial Premier League game.

The victory in Marseille is without doubt a positive performance, but Wenger will be hoping it turns into a prolonged run of good form.

LINEUPS

MAR – Mandanda, Azpilicueta, N’Koulou, Morel, Diawara, Diarra, Cheyrou (Kabore 87), Gonzalez (Amalfitano 73), Valbuena, Remy (Gignac 69), Ayew.

ARS – Szczesny, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos, Jenkinson (Djourou 62), Rosicky, Arteta, Walcott (Gervinho 67), Song, Arshavin (Ramsey 78), Van Persie.

SCORING SUMMARY

ARS – Aaron Ramsey (Gervinho) 90+2’

LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

Related Articles

Member Sign In »

Username Password
Forgot Password | Remember
Not a Member Yet? Register Now