Toothless Gunners held to draw by Fenerbahce
Robin van Persie had the best of Arsenal's chances but could not score
Also In The News
|
Directed by Oliver Stone, out November 7th in cinemas, starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Jam |  |
Wednesday, 05, Nov 2008 09:59
Arsenal have been held to a goalless draw at home to Fenerbahce but still have a strong chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League.
The Gunners were left frustrated in the first half as striker Robin van Persie went close on a number of occasions but could not find the back of the net.
In the second half the visitors were able to restrict Arsenal to long-range efforts and were more organised in defence.
Arsene Wenger's men were hoping to bounce back from a defeat to Stoke City at the weekend with a good performance in Europe but failed to break down a stoic Fenerbahce defence.
Although the Gunners enjoyed the bulk of possession they created very few genuine goal-scoring chances.
The best of the opportunities fell to van Persie in the first half. The Dutchman got ever closer to scoring but could not find a way of getting the ball in the net.
First he was played in thanks to a clever pass by Cesc Fabregas but prodded his attempt on goal wide.
He then had another strike blocked before Fenerbahce goalkeeper Volkan Demirel dived to spectacularly tip van Persie's shot over the crossbar.
Arsenal dominated territory and possession in the second half but without the threat of the injured Emanuel Adebayor the Turkish side were able to cope with the Gunners' steady build-up play.
Ugur Boral threatened occasionally on the counter-attack but ultimately a stalemate was created with Fenerbahce's defence doing well enough to earn them a point.
Arsenal still lead the group on eight points with Porto in second place thanks to their 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev who remain in contention on five points.
The Gunners face Kiev in two weeks' time and a win in that game would send them into the knockout stage of the competition.