William Gallas was the next player to be the victim of the injury curse that hovers over Arsenal football club. Rossi won a free kick outside of the penalty area but fell into Gallas’ leg

An away score draw in the quarter finals of the champions league is nothing to be sniffed at. Drawing at home whilst your opposition score two vital away goals is certainly a reason to sniff all you like.

Most Gooners expected Arsene’s choice of line up, 5 across midfield with Adebayor having the task of leading the line on his own. I thought Wenger may plump for Eboue but he continued with the pace and direct running of Walcott.

Villarreal flew out of the traps and attacked us from the very start. Our extra man in midfield didn’t make a difference in the first half as they passed and moved excellently around our team. I haven’t seen a team out do us at our own game for a very long time and that is all credit to them.

Gael Clichy cleared off the line within 4 minutes after Almunia didn’t quite deal with an effort from Llorente.

The game was played at a very fast pace, Arsenal were trying to counter attack but were having trouble keeping the ball in the final third. Cesc Fabregas was much deeper than he was against Manchester City on Saturday, so that left Adebayor very isolated.

Villarreal opened the scoring in the 10th minute, a kind of goal that Arsenal have conceded many times this season. Marcos Senna wasn’t closed down outside the penalty area and he powered a right footed strike curling past Almunia.

Senna should have been closed down quicker but it was an absolutely fantastic strike from the Brazanish international.

Samir Nasri could have equalised but he took a slightly heavy touch which forced him a little wide on his weaker side, his effort was well saved.

Almunia had to be replaced just before the half hour mark after a collision with Rossi earlier on in the half.

Fabianski didn’t have to wait long to warm his hands up, He got down well to block Senna’s smart drive and the Pole got back to his feet to deny Capdevila from close range.

William Gallas was the next player to be the victim of the injury curse that hovers over Arsenal football club. Rossi won a free kick outside of the penalty area but fell into Gallas’ leg. He could well be out for the rest of the season.

Johan Djourou will be very important from now until the end of the season. He didn’t deserve to be left out of the side half way through the season so he now has his chance to show that he can be a starter for years to come.

Cesc Fabregas scored directly from a free kick, Thierry Henry style but was booked for taking it too early. Since when do you get booked for doing that?

The second half was a different story, Arsenal took the game to Villarreal as they did to us in the first half. Adebayor started to get more bodies around him quicker.

Our full backs were getting into very good areas but as often our final ball let us down. Anyone for David Beckham as our new right back? ok, that is a rather unfunny joke especially given the fact that Sagna has been our most consistent defender over the course of the season. If the crossing from our fullbacks improve then we will create many more chances.

Nasri over hit a pass to Walcott who couldn’t get enough power in his left foot shot but gradually Arsenal were pushing Villarreal back.

On the 65th minute the stadium witnessed a great goal from Adebayor, it is just a shame that the cameras missed it. Fabregas floated a long range pass to Adebayor who took it on his chest and in one movement produced a fantastic overhead kick that flew into the bottom corner. Magic!

A goal didn’t look like coming in the first half but Arsenal grabbed the bull by the horns and took over the second half.

Nasri shot just wide moments later when in a good position. Robert Pires came on in the 70th minute for his first game against his former club.

Villarreal turned back up the heat in the last 10 minutes as they needed to take a lead back to England but Arsenal held on firm.

A clear tale of two halves from the Gunners. A difficult first period followed up by a Champions League winning second half performance. Some more Adebayor magic in the second leg could see us 3 games away from Cesc Fabregas holding up the Champions League trophy.