Job half done as Yellow submarines are hit but not out

Arsenal take a 1 goal lead into the return leg. Kolo Toure of all people popped up at the right place at the right time to give Arsenal a slender advantage. Villareal played a very narrow game with Sorin, Senna tucking in and not letting Arsenal get their passing going. The first real chance of the game fell to Henry who coolly side footed the ball into the back of the net only to turn and see the lines man s flag raised. A poor decision from the assistant who got more than 1 call wrong on the night.
Villareal showed why they have been able to keep so many clean sheets as they played a compact game and the defense bonding well. Riquelme was not able to have the kind of influence that he would have liked to. Gilberto marked him exceptionally well and was on his number all night.
Henry was busy through out the game and won many headers yesterday and His level of commitment was beyond doubt. He was on his game and could have easily scored a couple of goals. Villareal knew that he had to be stopped and kept him well marked.
The goal when it came was because of the vision of Henry and the run of Hleb who gave Senna the slip and put in a lovely ball which was calmly finished off by Toure.
Villareal will not be an easy propostiton at the El Madrigal and the gunners will have to be on the top of their game to reach the finals. Arsenal have showed that they are more than capable of defending and absorb pressure.
An interesting battle awaits us in Spain, next week.