What an enjoyable game, it cost us injuries to Gallas and Almunia, but in my opinion it was fantastic. Two sides playing good football, both wanting to win, with good refereeing made for an unusually wonderful contest.

Adebayor scores the all important away goal, possibly the best goal of this champions league campaign

First half Arsenal was ,a bit slow out of the blocks were made to struggle by a Villarreal team who made it look like they were intent on giving us a dose of our own medeciney. The made the most of their possession and after some brilliant passing, Senna launched a beautiful long range shot that would have beaten any goalkeeper.

Admittedly he (Senna) was afforded too much space to take that shot but the space came about through the technique and ability of the opposition, not lack of shape, concentration or effort by the Arsenal. Denilson and Song, who both had good games, were straining to get into position but Villarreal was just too good, too quick, too slick.

For all the brilliance of Villarreal in the first half, you could sense that it took great effort and that physical toll would give Arsenal a 2nd half advantage. The Arsenal upped their game as some of the Villareal players tired opportunities for Arsenal came more often.

The Arsenal equalizer was on par with Villarreal’s opener, not much for the approach play by Arsenal but in the quality of ball from Fabregas and technique from Adebayor. A player who seems to only just realise that his place in the team is not as ordained as he thought, Adebayor is now beginning to resemble the guy who scored 30 goals last season.

Denilson again showed why he is highly rated by Wenger, winning more tackles and making more interceptions than anyone. Once he gains possession of the ball, he passes it on to start the team going. A cursory look at the Brazilian can be deceptive, not known for putting in crunching tackles, or running all over the pitch like a crazed fowl, he just makes well timed interceptions and helps in transition, very much like his predecessor Gilberto. My one criticism of him would be his protraction in tracking back at times.

Another player whom I thought was superb last night is Kolo Toure, at the beginning of the year this is what I said about Him.

Toure should — instead of putting in for transfer — keep his head down, lose those extra ounces he is carrying around and get back to the level that is expected of him. I bet that’s what Billy “big mouth” Gallas said to him.

Last night — no just last night but for the last few 2 months — He seems to have found his recovery pace. It was obvious that he wasn’t 100% fit and now that his butt no longer looks like J’Lo’s his game has considerably improved.

The return leg will be a huge test for Arsenal, a possible season ending injury to Gallas and 2-3 weeks for Almunia means that we face Villarreal with arguable 2 of our best performers this season. On last night’s display I am confident that we have the ability and the temperament to reach a famous night in Rome.