http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2201/
match=1100269/Report=RP.html
Tuesday, 27 September 2005
by John Atkin
from Amsterdam ArenA
Goals from Fredrik Ljungberg and Robert Pires earned Arsenal FC an impressive
2-1 win at AFC Ajax, a result which leaves the visitors firmly in control of
UEFA Champions League Group B.
Two-goal cushion
Ljungberg put the English side in front as early as the second minute, and when
Pires doubled the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half
the three points looked assured. Markus Rosenberg pulled a goal back almost
immediately, but Arsene Wenger's team survived the final 19 minutes for a
victory which gives them a three-point cushion at the top of the table.
Key absentees
Arsenal went into the game with question marks over their scoring ability
with Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry sidelined and Robin van Persie suspended
. Wenger therefore opted for the experimental pairing of Jose Antonio Reyes and
Ljungberg, and within two minutes of kick-off, the ploy had paid off.
Rapid attack
Matthieu Flamini capitalised on some hesitancy in the Ajax back line to feed
Reyes, whose first-time pass found Ljungberg in space. The Swedish
international had only the goalkeeper to beat and did so with typical aplomb,
adroitly chipping Hans Vonk to register Arsenal's 100th Champions League goal.
It was the worst possible start for a makeshift home side, for whom Wesley
Sneijder had become the latest addition to a lengthy injury list with a
hamstring problem. In the absence of their fulcrum, Ajax's three-man midfield
struggled to impose themselves.
Three-pronged attack
Instead, the onus fell on the three-pronged attack of Ryan Babel, Nourdin
Boukhari and Angelos Charisteas, but although all worked early openings, only
the third-named forced a save from Manuel Almunia, deputising for the
suspended Jens Lehmann in the Arsenal goal. Wenger's men sat back, content to
strike on the break, and only poor control prevented the nimble Ljungberg from
making the most of more tentative defending from Thomas Vermaelen.
Bridging the past
Vermaelen typified his team's gauche first-half performance as he failed to
assert himself against the canny visitors. It was announced last week that 12
bridges in a new park around Ajax's former De Meer home will be named after
the side that monopolised the European Champion Clubs' Cup from 1971-73. On
the early evidence here, it could be some time before the bridges that snake
the River Amstel outside the ArenA carry the identities of the current squad.
Ajax ascendancy
Steven Pienaar ventured forward as the half wore on, but missed a gilt-edged
chance on the stroke of half-time after good work from Boukhari. The striker
ghosted past Ashley Cole, drew Almunia and squared to Pienaar but with the goal
at his mercy, the South African blazed over. It was nevertheless a welcome
lift, and Ajax started the second period firmly on the front foot.
Narrow misses
Babel and Nigel de Jong flashed efforts wide but, just as they were beginning
to threaten, the Eredivisie team lost their rhythm when Charisteas was forced
off after colliding with Kolo Toure, and were soon further behind. Nine minutes
past the hour, Arsenal won possession on halfway and Flamini sent Reyes clear,
the Spaniard rounding Vonk only to be upended. Pires duly placed the spot-kick
past the Ajax goalkeeper.
Rosenberg riposte
The two-goal cushion lasted only two minutes, however, as Almunia brilliantly
tipped Toma? Galasek's long-range strike on to a post, only for the rebound to
fall perfectly for Rosenberg to tap in. Both sides had openings in the final
15 minutes, but Ajax were unable to find an equaliser to leave Arsenal sitting
pretty.
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