Arsenal got their Champions League campaign off to a flyer at home to Sporting Braga this evening, as they easily saw off the opposition 6-0 in a lesson in passing football.
The home side were crisp and concise in their passing, cutting open the visitors at will. For their part, Braga never turned up and made it all two easy for Arsene Wenger's men.
Arsenal went ahead through a Cesc Fabregas penalty after Marouane Chamakh was felled in the box. The Captain then provided the assist for Andrey Arshavin to make it two, before Chamakh got his name on the score-sheet after he latched on to a lovely flick from Jack Wilshere.
Fabregas got his second of the night in the second half, after he headed in a deft Arshavin cross. The rout was complete through a brace from substitute Carlos Vela.
Ratings
Manuel Almunia (6) Little to do all night. Dealt with the odd cross well.
Bacary Sagna (6) Got forward well to help attack. Crossing has improved.
Sebastien Squillaci (6) Little to do defensively, but got stuck in.
Laurent Koscielny (6) As Squillaci had little to do, but won some ball well.
Gael Clichy (7) Looked up for tonight's game and attacked well.
Alex Song (6) Stuck to his task but missed some tackles.
Cesc Fabregas (9) Great game. Scored two and assisted two.
Jack Wilshere (8) Is he really only 18? Looked calm and composed.
Andrey Arshavin (6) Poor apart from the goal and two assists.
Samir Nasri (7) Pressed high up the field to keep pressure on Braga.
Marouane Chamakh (9) Outstanding up front all night, topped with a goal.
Denilson (6) Came on for Song when the game was won.
Carlos Vela (8) Two cool finishes for his brace.
Emmanuel Eboue (6) Had little impact when he came on.
Man of the Match: Cesc Fabregas.
Written by:
