/ 10 December 2014

Ramsey brace helps Arsenal reach Champions League final 16

Ramsey Brace Helps Arsenal Reach Champions League Final 16

Aaron Ramsey got Arsenal back on track with a brilliant double in Tuesday’s 4-1 win at Galatasaray, but there was still frustration for under-fire boss Arsene Wenger as the Gunners were unable to clinch top spot in Champions League Group D.

Although Wenger’s side travelled to Istanbul already assured of their place in the final 16 of Europe’s elite club competition, they were sorely in need of a morale-boosting victory following the vicious backlash from Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Stoke.

Wenger had been verbally abused by angry Arsenal fans when he boarded the club’s train home from Stoke, while sections of the Gunners fanbase had fought among themselves at the Britannia Stadium as arguments about the Frenchman’s perceived failings boiled over.

In the circumstances, Wenger would have loved to combine a win in Turkey with a defeat for group leaders Borussia Dortmund against Anderlecht.

But, somewhat inevitably given the downbeat tone of Arsenal’s campaign, Dortmund got the point they needed against the Belgians and Arsenal were forced to settle for second place despite a dominant display which saw Ramsey score twice in the first half, including a stunning long-range effort, after the opener from Lukas Podolski, who wrapped up the points in the final seconds.

Tougher opponents
Finishing second means Arsenal are likely to face tougher opponents in the final 16, which has been their regular exit point from the tournament in recent seasons, so Wenger’s critics are unlikely to be silenced for long by victory over Galatasaray, who got one back through Wesley Sneijder.

“There’s a little bit of frustration that we have finished runners-up, but we knew at half time we needed to score six goals without conceding,” Wenger said.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t enough, but we finished with 13 points and did the job tonight.

“We came out strong and that’s what I wanted from these players.” â€“ AFP