Alex Song has taught me something, he has taught me never to write off a 17 year old player who is still developing. Once again against a top European side

Match Review – Arsenal 3 Villarreal 0 – Champions League

Now that was magic, it was the type of performance that we could only have wished for before kick off, the boys with injury problems in front of them, pressure at its highest, showed exactly what they are made of.

It was my last club level game as the owner was back in the country, what a way to sign off. I walked in and glanced at the team line up on the screens at the bar. Eboue right back! What happened to Sagna?! I said to my mate in horror. 4 out of 5 first choice defenders are out, as well as our first choice goalkeeper.

I was saying yesterday that one player would have to drop out and I must admit I was surprised to see Denilson relegated to the bench, but at the same time I wasn’t surprised to see Alex Song keep his place after a monstrous second half against Wigan.

Arsenal lined up in a 4-4-1-1 with Van Persie floating just behind Adebayor. Gibbs kept his place at left back and our right side looked very offensive with Eboue playing behind Theo Walcott.

Arsenal started the stronger from the kick off, Theo Walcott looked in a very provoking mood. Every time he got the ball he just wanted to get into the final third. He doesn’t want to be at the half way line making passes, he wants to find someone, anyone for a give and go and run in behind the opposition. Villarreal were finding it difficult to stop him. The link up between Theo and Eboue was fantastic, they sliced through Villarreal many times during the first half.

After just 6 minutes it was Theo Walcott that instigated the first chance of the game, the English greyhound flew past Capdevila and hit a cross across the box. Cesc Fabregas picked up the ball at the edge of the area and floated a ball onto the head of Van Persie who headed over the bar from close range.

The breakthrough came only 5 minutes later. Eboue passed into Cesc who spotted Walcott’s darting run in behind him. Cesc produced a delightful flick that fooled everyone except for Walcott who was running in on López from the right side of the box, I was expecting a low drilled shot but Theo had other ideas. He dinked a world class shot over the head of the keeper and into the far corner of the net. 1-0 and the Emirates was rocking.

The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the game from the first minute to the last. I had a drunken posh Chelsea supporter sat behind me making stupid comments throughout the game but luckily I was able to block out his ramblings and concentrate on our breathtaking football.

Arsenal could have doubled the lead just short of the half hour mark, Van Persie had a free kick just outside the box in almost a perfect position for him, his strike was parried by Lopez only to the head of Adebayor who headed towards the empty net but Villarreal cleared away to safety.

Villarreal were playing decent football in parts, nothing like they produced in that first half at El Madrigal but they lacked a presence in attack. Rossi needed an Adebayor to feed off and much of their attack play was easily dealt with by Toure and Silvestre.

At half time, I was happy with how things were panning out but the second goal would be vital.

Villarreal started the second half well and pushed us back. Fabianski looked a little nervous and shaky against Wigan on the weekend but he put all that behind him and produced a very assured performance last night. Every decision he made was spot on. Many times he acted as sweeper and ran off his line to clear to safety. Every catch was executed perfectly.

The all important second goal arrived on the hour, a lovely move ended up with Cesc flicking onto Van Persie. The Dutchman advanced to the edge of the area many were expecting a shot as he had done previously during the first half but he threaded a super pass into Adebayor who outside of the foot slotted past the Villarreal goalkeeper. Cue pandemonium from the Emirates faithful. You could feel the weight being lifted from the shoulders of the players and the supporters.

Seven minutes later the cherry was delicately placed on the cake. Walcott was flying down the right once again and cut inside, he was allegedly fouled. I say Allegedly as I could not see it from where I was sitting and I have only seen one Sky Sports replay of the incident. Eguren was dismissed for protesting.

Van Persie smashed the penalty to the goalkeepers left, almost every goalkeeper knows where Van Persie puts his penalties nowadays, the truth is they cannot stop them. 3-0 and our ticket through to the semi finals was sealed.

There was certainly a party atmosphere in the stadium. Robert Pires got a very warm welcome before kick off but towards the end of the game, chants of super Bobby Pires rang around the ground, Pires even clapped during the game. It was extremely emotional. The supporters sang ‘You’ll always be a Gooner’ which I thought was special. Myself being a manly man would never admit to welling up at that point with the emotion of it all.

We watched Ronaldo’s rocket at half time and kept checking the score on our phones, which didn’t change from Porto 0 Manchester United 1.

Diaby, Bendtner and Denilson came on late to save some legs for Saturday’s big game. Abou Diaby had a chance late on to score the fourth or square to Bendtner but he drilled wide.

The final whistle blew and the feeling at the end was amazing, our second ever Champions League semi final. There is no doubt that Manchester United over two legs will be difficult but if there is one team to beat them it is our team.

The whole team were fantastic but I want to give a special mention to a few of those players. Emmanuel Eboue has had more than his fair share of critics this season and he has done so well lately. His performance last night defensively and offensively was just wonderful. His final ball may have let him down at times but he is such a versatile and talented player who is improving all the time.

Alex Song has taught me something, he has taught me never to write off a 17 year old player who is still developing. Once again against a top European side he was bossing the midfield. He almost looks as if he now knows that he belongs at the big stage. Turning away from players and spreading the play effortlessly.

Young Gibbs repaid the faith shown in him by Wenger by producing a very assured performance at left back after a difficult weekend.

Top gun could go to many but I am going to hand this one to Arsene Wenger, the greatest manager alive for believing in these players, going against the grade and sticking to his guns.

3 games away from lifting that trophy. COME ON THE GUNNERS!!