Arsenal got their Champions League campaign off to a flying start with a 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome in the South of France on Wednesday. Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey scored second-half goals as the Gunners won for the 10th straight time away from the Emirates and also extended their unbeaten run in France to 10 matches. Wojciech Szczesny had a fine game in goal to earn the win and Arsenal sits on top of Group F along with Italian side Napoli, who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1
The last time the Gunners didn’t advance from the group stages of the Champions League was back in 1999/2000. Some fans have their doubts about them extending their streak this season due to the tough group they’re in and their injury situation. However, they couldn’t really have asked for a better result even though the performance wasn’t the best in the first half.
This was Marseille’s first Champions League group match in two seasons and they were the better team in the first 45 minutes with Andre-Pierre Gignac, Mathieu Valbuena and Andre Ayew having their best scoring chances. The clubs went to the dressing rooms tied 0-0 at halftime though. Marseille’s Rod Fanni came close to giving the Ligue 1 side the lead just after the second half got underway when Per Mertesacker mistimed a clearing kick. Fortunately for Arsenal Kieran Gibbs headed the ball away as it appeared to be ready to cross the goal line or fall to the waiting Gignac.
Marseille’s defenders made their own mistake in the 64th minute when Jeremy Morel botched a cross from the left wing by Kieran Gibbs. He headed the ball straight into the path of Walcott who slammed it home into the top of the net with a blistering right-footed volley. It was his first of the season and quite a memorable one.
Ramsey doubled the lead 20 minutes later when he ran at the Marseille defence and unleashed a low shot that found the back of the net. Things got a little tight once injury time rolled around as Ramsey was called for a phantom trip on Andre Ayew in the 18-yard box and Jordan Ayew slotted home the penalty kick into the upper half of the net. Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and Olivier also had decent chances during the match, but couldn’t manage to beat keeper Steve Mandana.
Overall it was a fine effort from the Gunners, especially with players such as Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out with injuries. Their next contest takes place at home at the Emirates this Sunday September 22 when they host Stoke City in a Premier League contest.
Arsenal Player Ratings-Wed. Sept. 18
Marseille 1-2 Arsenal –Champions League Group F Match 1
Wojciech Szczesny-7
The Polish keeper stopped everything that came his way except for the last minute penalty. He had a bad moment when getting mixed up with Mertesacker in the 60th minute and was bailed out by Gibbs.
Bacary Sagna-7
Perhaps Sagna was motivated by playing in his homeland. He had a good game in both ends of the pitch.
Per Mertesacker-6.5
He had a pretty good game other than the mix up with Szczesny. He made some timely blocks as well.
Laurent Koscielny-6.5
A rather quiet and steady game by the Frenchman. No glaring errors and fouls.
Kieran Gibbs-7
His timely goal line clearance was huge as Arsenal took the lead just four minutes later. Played well in the attack too.
Mathieu Flamini-6.5
Flamini had a steady game defensively and didn’t look out of place at all. He was replaced by Ryo Miyaichi in a risky time-wasting move by Arsene Wenger just before the game was whistled down.
Aaron Ramsey-8
Ramsey has simply been one of the best players in football so far this season. He was again the Arsenal man of the match and scored his sixth goal of the campaign with another beauty. He gave up a penalty late in the match, but replays showed it was a ridiculous call.
Theo Walcott-7
Walcott had a fine match and his goal was taken extremely well. He was taken off after 78 minutes and replaced by Nacho Monreal.
Jack Wilshere-7
Wilshere chipped in with his typical steady and energetic performance, especially going forward.
Mesut Ozil-6.5
The German international didn’t match his performance of last Saturday, but still put in a good game.
Olivier Giroud-6.5
Not one of Giroud’s best games this season, but still had a couple of chances. His best chance was a header from one of Walcott’s crosses, but he just missed the net.
Substitutes:
Nacho Monreal-6.5
Came on for Walcott after 78 minutes and this looks to be his best role with the squad. He’s a lot more impressive when he’s allowed to go forward than he is as a defender.
Ryo Miyaichi N/A
Came on for Flamini in the 91st minute when Wenger assumed the game was wrapped up.
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