Gunners ease through
Arsenal eased their way into the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Sparta Prague.
Goals from captain Thierry Henry and two from sub Robin van Persie saw the Gunners through with two games to go.
Arsenal dominated from the start and Dennis Bergkamp almost broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, but hit the bar when it was easier to score. The Czechs reminded the Gunners they could be a threat when Manuel Almunia had to bravely block at Zelenka’s feet, but Arsenal got the goal they deserved after 23 minutes. Crisp passing between Bergkamp, Gilberto and Reyes set up Henry 25 yards out and the Frenchman hit a low shot that curled wickedly into the bottom left-hand corner to notch his 187th Arsenal goal.
In the second half, Arsenal struggled to kill the game off. Henry and his replacement van Persie both went close with a free-kicks, while Pires fired over when put through by Reyes. For a period, Sparta threatened an improbable draw, not least when a Petrous header shaved the crossbar. However, van Persie made the game safe on 81 minutes, cutting inside two defenders before smashing the ball home. The Dutchman rounded off the night four minutes from time, slotting home his second of the night from Eboue’s cross.