Arsenal reach knockout stage
Wenger was able to rest key players and still get a draw in Prague
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Wednesday, 07, Nov 2007 10:11
Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League after completing a 0-0 draw away to Slavia Prague.
Arsene Wenger made eight changes to the side that drew with Manchester United on Saturday, preferring to give some of his younger players a chance.
Both sides were limited to half-chances during the first 20 minutes. Mickael Tavares headed over Daniel Pudil's inswinging corner for Prague before Arsenal's Abou Diaby had a long-range effort comfortably saved by Michal Vorel.
Zdenek Senkerik came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half but found Manuel Almunia in good form.
The Spanish goalkeeper dived full-stretch to meet the Czech striker's left-footed strike to tip the shot over the bar.
Arsenal were guilty of giving the ball away too often during the match and were fortunate that the hosts lacked the quality to take advantage of their undisciplined play.
After the break rain began to come down hard in the Czech capital and that opened up the match a little. Senkerik had a penalty appeal turned down when Lassana Diarra appeared to have impeded the striker.
The Gunners were still struggling up front, the closest they came to a goal in the second half was when Nicklas Bendtner had a shot blocked by Erich Brabec.
Senkerik continued to test the Gunners' defence and had a glorious chance to win the game when he beat the Arsenal offside trap but his attempted chip was saved by Almunia.
Despite being under pressure for most of the night the Gunners held on for the point they needed to ensure progress to the next round.