Camden New Journal - Sports: Tough test ahead for Gunners

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Camden New Journal - by TOM FOOT
Published: 13 December 2007

Tough test ahead for Gunners

Second place finish in Champions League group leaves Arsenal facing heavy hitters

ARSENAL now face a tough test in the knockkout stages of the Champions League, depsite running out 2-1 winners against Steaua Bucharest last night (Wednesday).
A 3-0 win for Sevilla away in Prague means the Gunners fail to top their group and will now get Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter or Porto in next Friday’s draw,
Arsenal started brightly and should have been 2-0 after five minutes.
Robin Van Persie, back from injury ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash against Chelsea, twice opened the Bucharest rear guard for Theo Walcott. Both times the teenager failed to hit the target, but the early pressure told and on eight minutes Abou Diaby neatly controlled a Bacaray Sagna cross and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
On 42 minutes Nicklas Bendtner skipped past one defender and coolly slotted into the left corner. The Romanians battled on, pulling back a goal through Zaharia’s strike, but Arsenal were worthy winners.
Meanwhile Arsene Wenger has revealed that he thinks Fabio Capello is the ideal choice to take over the national team after the Italian emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Steve McClaren as England manager.
Wenger has consistently advocated an English appointment for the England vacancy but believes that Capello, who has enjoyed successful stints with Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Roma, has all the attributes required should the FA choose a foreign manager.
“The quality of the candidate is outstanding, I have known Fabio for a long time. I feel he is a strong man and a strong character. He has a clear idea of what he wants and when he is convinced of something he goes to the end of it.”

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