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Arshavin delivers first goal of the season
Published: 27 August, 2009, 11:27
Andrey Arshavin (AFP Photo / Carl de Souza)
TAGS: Sport, Arshavin, Champions League, Football
Andrey Arshavin has helped Arsenal reach the UEFA Champions League group stage, scoring once in the Gunners’ 3-1 win against Celtic.
The London side went into the second leg with a solid after a 2-0 win in Glasgow a week ago. So coach Arsene Wenger decided to give his leaders some rest, with Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin all watching the game from the bench.
The Russian playmaker appeared on the pitch only in the 72nd minute, when Arsenal were already 2-0 up thanks to a doubtful penalty goal from Eduardo and a great effort from Emmanuel Eboué.
Arshavin needed just two minutes to put his name on the scoreboard. He received the ball in the middle of Celtic’s box after a clever one-two with another substitute, Aaron Ramsey. Arshavin turned around and shot, leaving keeper Artur Boruc with no chance.
This was the first goal of the 2009/10 season for the 28-year-old, who scored 6 goals for his team last season.
“I scored as soon as I came on the field, because substitutes always want to prove that they want to play, and that they are not worse than those who are on the pitch. I am very glad now,” Andrey told Sportbox.ru.
The game at Emirates Stadium ended with a 3-1 score as Massimo Donati put in a consolation goal for the Scotsmen in stoppage time, which means Arsenal ease into the group stage 5-1 on aggregate.
And there’ll be another Russian in the Champions League, as Pavel Pogrebnyak’s Stuttgart also made their way into the group stage.
The Russian striker spent all 90 minutes in the German side’s scoreless draw with Timisoara. It was just the score Stuttgart needed after a 2-0 away win in the first leg in Romania.
The draw of the Champions League group stage is to take place on Thursday.
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