Arsenal's disapointing week continued in Portugal, just days after losing the North London derby as Braga poored Champions League misery on Arsene Wenger's team. Matheus was the Braga match-winner, with two strikes in the last seven minutes saw the Portuguese team draw level with Arsenal in Group H and means Arsenal have more work to do to qualify for the knockout stage.
Arsene Wenger rung the changes - but surprisingly included Cesc Fabregas despite his hamstring problems. Otherwise Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou, Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Nicklas Bendtner all came into the Arsenal team. Braga showed three changes to the side that lost 6-0 at Arsenal in September, with Lima, Elderson and Leandro Salino all involved this time around.
Arsenal wasted no time in getting into their stride and an early cross from Kieran Gibbs struck low behind the Braga defence nearly found Nicklas Bendtner only for it to be cut-out by Moises under the Danish international’s nose. The majority of the open exchanges though saw Arsenal with a lot of the ball without creating any real clear cut openings.
The first half continued in the same vein, with Arsenal dominating possession and keeping their Portuguese hosts at bay but failing to really test Braga backline. Cesc Fabregas went closest with a free-kick from just outside the box that brought a simple tip over the bar from Felipe. Fabregas then slipped Theo Walcott through but Felipe again come-out to save at the winger's feet. Braga’s best chance came a minute later as Lima pinged a long-range effort inches past Lukasz Fabiasnki's right-hand post from 25 yards out. However they were rare highlights in a lacklustre first half from both sides.
The second half begun just as the previous forty-five minutes had began and both teams seemed content on the goalless draw. Walcott fired another free-kick over the Braga bar , while first Mathues with a drive across Fabianski’s post and then Luis Aguiar’s shot from Sebastian’s Squillaci’s misplaced header both went wide of the Arsenal goal in the closest chances for the hosts.
With twenty minutes to go Arsenal were forced into a change as Fabregas stretched for a ball and immediately pulled-up with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Samir Nasri and now looks like a doubt for Saturday’s game with Aston Villa. Minutes later Arsene Wenger also brought on Maroune Chamakh and Carlos Vela for Bendtner and Walcott in the hope of nicking a goal and all three points.
Vela was immediately into the action too, picking up a loose ball in the penalty box only to be hacked down by Alberto Rodriguez in what looked like an odds on penalty. However referee Viktor Kassai saw it another way and booked Vela for what he saw as a dive. Replays showed though it was a clear cut penalty.
Then with eight minutes to go Braga settled the game with two goals from tailesmen Matheus. Firstly the Brazilian was set clean through on goal with Arsenal playing far too high a defensive line and he crashed into the top corner to give Braga the lead. Then with Arsenal trying to find an equaliser, the striker broke clear of the defence once again taking the ball round two defenders before smashing the ball into the top of the net with the last kick of the game.
It was cruel blow for Arsenal who must now make sure they win on matchday six to make sure of their progression to the second round of the competition.
Arsene Wenger rung the changes - but surprisingly included Cesc Fabregas despite his hamstring problems. Otherwise Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou, Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Nicklas Bendtner all came into the Arsenal team. Braga showed three changes to the side that lost 6-0 at Arsenal in September, with Lima, Elderson and Leandro Salino all involved this time around.
Arsenal wasted no time in getting into their stride and an early cross from Kieran Gibbs struck low behind the Braga defence nearly found Nicklas Bendtner only for it to be cut-out by Moises under the Danish international’s nose. The majority of the open exchanges though saw Arsenal with a lot of the ball without creating any real clear cut openings.
The first half continued in the same vein, with Arsenal dominating possession and keeping their Portuguese hosts at bay but failing to really test Braga backline. Cesc Fabregas went closest with a free-kick from just outside the box that brought a simple tip over the bar from Felipe. Fabregas then slipped Theo Walcott through but Felipe again come-out to save at the winger's feet. Braga’s best chance came a minute later as Lima pinged a long-range effort inches past Lukasz Fabiasnki's right-hand post from 25 yards out. However they were rare highlights in a lacklustre first half from both sides.
The second half begun just as the previous forty-five minutes had began and both teams seemed content on the goalless draw. Walcott fired another free-kick over the Braga bar , while first Mathues with a drive across Fabianski’s post and then Luis Aguiar’s shot from Sebastian’s Squillaci’s misplaced header both went wide of the Arsenal goal in the closest chances for the hosts.
With twenty minutes to go Arsenal were forced into a change as Fabregas stretched for a ball and immediately pulled-up with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Samir Nasri and now looks like a doubt for Saturday’s game with Aston Villa. Minutes later Arsene Wenger also brought on Maroune Chamakh and Carlos Vela for Bendtner and Walcott in the hope of nicking a goal and all three points.
Vela was immediately into the action too, picking up a loose ball in the penalty box only to be hacked down by Alberto Rodriguez in what looked like an odds on penalty. However referee Viktor Kassai saw it another way and booked Vela for what he saw as a dive. Replays showed though it was a clear cut penalty.
Then with eight minutes to go Braga settled the game with two goals from tailesmen Matheus. Firstly the Brazilian was set clean through on goal with Arsenal playing far too high a defensive line and he crashed into the top corner to give Braga the lead. Then with Arsenal trying to find an equaliser, the striker broke clear of the defence once again taking the ball round two defenders before smashing the ball into the top of the net with the last kick of the game.
It was cruel blow for Arsenal who must now make sure they win on matchday six to make sure of their progression to the second round of the competition.
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