Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva – Europa League – Match Report

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva – Europa League – Match Report

Chris Williams – The Emirates, London

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva rocketed into life from the get-go, but not before the host’s fragility reared its head on a night that the Gunners eventually got to grips with, despite an early fright from their Russian visitors.

  • Alexsandr Golovin scores with a peach of a free kick
  • Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey hit two each for the hosts
  • Wasteful in front of goal, the Koni should be returning to Moscow with a better goal difference

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva – 1:0 Ramsey (9′), 1:1 Golovin (15′), 2:1 Lacazette (23′, PEN), 3:1 Ramsey (28′), 4:1 Lacazette (35′)

‘End to end’ – probably not the first thought of anyone inside The Emirates prior to kick off, but it was soon to be their only focus.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the first player of the night to go close, his shot just crept agonisingly wide of the Moskva upright. The Armenian on the end of some majestic interplay between Nacho Monreal and Mesut Özil as the Gunners cut through their visitors with ease.

Seconds later and it was the Koni’s turn to rip down the pitch, Ahmed Musa busting through the Arsenal backline before being incorrectly flagged offside – TV replays showed Héctor Belllerín had played the Nigerian onside.

Fast forward a mere matter of moments and Arsenal had the ball in the back of the net, Ramsey wheeled away in celebration but was quickly brought to a halt by the assistant’s lofted flag. The Wales international wasn’t to be denied his goal for very long however, 60 seconds later and the midfielder slotted home from close range – it was the least the hosts deserved after a high tempo start.

The early goal didn’t rattle the side from the Russian capital and they were soon to be rewarded for their attacking mindset. Laurent Koscielny gave away a cheap free kick on the edge of the Arsenal box and Alexsandr Golovin dispatched the opportunity with ease – Peter Čech didn’t stand a chance. If the hosts were worthy of their early lead then the Koni were equally rewarded for their start to the game.  One-one and the game was 15 minutes old.

What followed was a response that will have undoubtedly pleased Arsène Wenger – three goals in an action packed 12 minutes.

Alexandre Lacazette converted from the penalty spot after Georgi Schennikov brought down Özil in the box. The Arsenal third came soon after – Ramsey with a beautiful mid air flick that left Igor Akinfeev routed to the spot. All the goalkeeper could do was watch the ball loop over his his head and into the net behind him.

Three soon became four as Lacazette grabbed his second of the night, a well taken shot that had goal written all over it from the moment it left the Frenchman’s foot.

As half time approached the score wasn’t fully reflective of the CSKA performance – Musa had two clear opportunities to heap misery on the hosts whilst Alan Dzagoev should have done much better with his sight of goal. The 27-year-old tickled his shot towards Čech when any sort of power would have seen the net bulge.

As the teams came out for the second half you could have forgiven CSKA for sitting back, but they didn’t. On another night the five chances that ended in the North London stars could have resulted in Moskva goals – Arsenal were certainly hospitable, and Golovin’s strike shouldn’t have been the only notch the vistors take back to the VEB Arena.

As the second half ticked onwards the host’s superior quality began to shine through. If CSKA should have added to their tally then Arsenal should have done likewise. Lacazette could have had his hat-trick on 68 minutes, Özil and Monreal will also be wondering why their names weren’t listed on the Arsenal scoreboard come full time.

As it stands, CSKA did enough to frighten their hosts but a lack of quality in the final third leaves the Koni with a hill to climb back in Moscow.

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva – CSKA Man of the Match: Ahmed Musa

The Leicester loanee showed why the Foxes were keen to secure his services back in 2016 for €18 million. Twisting and turning down the CSKA left he ensured Héctor Belllerín had a defensive night to forget. The Nigerian should have registered at least one goal in London – he will have given Arsène Wenger food for thought on just how to patrol the Gunner’s right side for the return leg.

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva

CSKA Moscow’s Nigerian striker Ahmed Musa runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League first leg quarter-final football match between Arsenal and CSKA Moscow at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva – Talking Point:

Wasteful CSKA – the Koni should be returning to the capital with much more than their solitary goal. From their 11 crafted opportunities, four tested Čech whilst seven sailed high or wide. Any clear chances will have to be taken at the VEB Arena should the Muscovites harbour any hope of turning around the aggregate score.

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva – Match Stats

  • Arsenal undo the Moscow side in a blistering first half performance
  • Ahmed Musa shines for the Koni
  • Second leg will be held in Moscow on 12 April

Arsenal vs CSKA Moskva – Line-ups

Arsenal

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Cech – Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal – Xhaka, Ramsey, Wilshere Mkhitaryan – Ozil -Lacazette

Coach: Arsène Wenger

CSKA Moskva 

Formation: 3-5-2

Akinfeev – Berezutski, Ignashevich, Berezutski – Kuchaev, Golovin, Natcho, Dzagoev, Schennikov – Musa, Wernbloom

Coach: Viktor Goncharenko

Chris Williams is a freelance European football journalist. Covering the Bundesliga, Premier League and both of UEFA’s European club competitions. Published in both local and international publications, he also contributes to television and radio across the globe. A member of the UK’s Sports Journalist Association and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Follow Chris Williams on Twitter @Chris78Williams

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