Soccer Blog Video

Arsenal FC eased to a comfortable victory over R. Standard de Liège as the 2006 UEFA Champions League finalists ensured they would finish top of Group H.

First-half goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson set Arsenal on their way to a convincing success which confirmed the north London side qualified for the last 16 with one game still to play. Their Belgian opponents, who finished the match with ten men after an 86th-minute red card for Mehdi Carcela-González, now face a real battle to overhaul second-placed Olympiacos FC.

Arsenal tore into Standard from the off and it was a miracle the hosts were not a goal up in the 15th minute when a Cesc Fàbregas corner from the right yielded chances for Andrei Arshavin, Carlos Vela, William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen – whose efforts were either blocked or hit the woodwork in a mad scramble. Arsenal might well have rued their luck, because they were fortunate not to fall behind when Standard striker Dieudonné Mbokani turned Vermaelen on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a shot that cannoned off the crossbar.