Fenerbahce 2 – 5 Arsenal. Not even the most optimistic of punters would predict that Fenerbahce would allow Arsenal to score 5 goals at the Sukru Saracoglu. Fenerbahce hasn’t had the best of starts this season, but it has generally been accepted that they are very hard to beat at home.

9 minutes into the encounter a wonderful through ball from Fabregas set up Adebayor to put paid to that notion.

Walcott caused Fenerbahce problems all night.

That first goal quietened the incessant noise in the stadium, 2 Minutes later a similar ball allowed Walcott to round the keeper for a second that truly silenced the crowd. Arsenal were in an attacking mood, and whilst it was beautiful to watch it wasn’t long before Almunia had to make his first of many brilliant saves for the night.

For Arsenal the failure to close down Fener’s attack and the high line kept by their defence was a concern. When Song committed a needless foul on Boral the ensuing free-kick exposed Arsenal’s lack of cohesiveness at the back.

Adebayor allowed Guiza a free run to the back post and the sweetly took volley ricochetted off Silvestre into the back of the net. The noise level increased again but not for long as Diaby, who has to get a mention here for being brilliant throughout, netted a superb left footed goal.
22 minutes into the game 4 goals scored.

Fenerbahce had more chances, but Almunia would come up trumps time and time again. Arsenal’s defence made it a nervous watch for their fans as you could sense that Fener would capitalise sooner or later. We made it to half time, and as good as we were going forward you could tell Wenger was not a happy chappie.

The second half began in much the same fashion, and the next goal would decide the game. At 3-1 if Fenerbahce were to score the game would take an altogether different complexion, however a goal for Arsenal would have put the game out of the Turkish side’s reach.

Fenerbahce failed to clear a free-kick and it was Alex Song who picked the ball out of the air with a exquisite volley that gave the goalkeeper absolutely no chance. That goal was the gamebreaker, Arsenal then could afford to take their foot off the gas and cruised towards the end of the game.

Daniel Guiza would pull one back for Fenerbahce when he finally took one of the many chances afforded to him by the defence. Were it not for the exemplary display by Almunia the scoreline would have been very different. In his press conference Manuel spoke about defending his team, and he was true to his word.

Defence notwithstanding the Gunners at times seemed to toy toyed with their opponents, playing the ball around, making fancy triangles, content to try to walk the ball into the net, content to coast through the rest of the fixture.

Ramsey, Vela, and Djourou was introduced Diaby was cheered off by the Fenerbahce fans, Eboue filled in for Theo on the right and proceeded to entertain with attempts at ball tricks some of which actually came off, one bit of skill gave Ramsey a slither of a chance in the last minute of added time which he promptly dispatched. The icing on the cake for a positive display from the Gunners.

Whatever the headlines tomorrow, my man of the match has to go to Almunia. All our attacking flair would have been for nought if Almunia wasn’t there to foil Fenerbahce who actually had more shots on goal than Arsenal.

A good night for Arsenal and their fans everywhere, 5 goals at Sukru Saracoglu is nothing to sniff at.