Match Report: Galatasaray 0 Arsenal 0
(Keeper Aykut Erçetin hero of the match)
Arsenal were left to rue missed opportunities as they were forced to settle for a share of the points against a determined Galatasaray SK side in UEFA Champions League Group C dead rubber match.
The Gunners' best chance came from the penalty spot on the half-hour, but Galatasaray goalkeeper Aykut Erçetin saved Robin van Persie's effort. The 26-year-old custodian produced further heroics late in the second half, pulling off a flying save to tip over an expertly dispatched Gareth Barry's free-kick. While this was Galatasaray's first ever home point in European football's elite club competition this season, the draw signaled the end of Mourinho's 100 per cent away record in Europe stretching with Arsenal.
The visitors dictated the early exchanges, with Galatasaray content to sit deep and absorb considerable pressure. However, it took Arsenal fully twelve minutes to engineer their first serious attempt on the visitors' goal. Mexican international Carlos vela spun past Uğur Uçar on the right wing and curled a left-footed, 22-meter shot a fraction over the crossbar. Galatasaray, unshaken in the cauldron-like atmosphere of their home ground Ali Sami Yen Stadium, withstood the initial onslaught and were soon to counter.
On 13 minutes, Ümit Karan drove a powerful free-kick a meter wide from the fringe of Arsenal's penalty area and, 60 seconds later, the Turkish runner ups should have taken the lead. Hasan Şaş, released by a wonderfully accurate long pass by Ümit Karan, burst through on goal and shot low under the hulking frame of Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia, only for the ball to squirm wide of the target. With 30 minutes played, though, Galatasaray's's good work looked set to be undone when Arsenal winger Aaron Ramsey turned Semih Kaya in the box and was tripped by the defender's trailing leg. Referee Matteo Trefoloni pointed to the spot, yet Galatasaray survived as Erçetin dived to block Persie's penalty kick.
Arsenal began the second period showing the same intent with which they started the first, but still the breakthrough eluded them. As in the opening half, Vela was the visitors' chief source of inspiration and his sorties into the right and left channels stretched the Galatasaray defense to bursting point. Time after time, though, the disciplined Turkish rearguard doused the Arsenal threat before it materialized – hunting in packs, Michael Skibbe's men closed down every ball. The frustrated away support chanted for the introduction of Cesc Fabregas and, on 63 minutes, manager Jose Mourinho granted their wish, bringing on the flamboyant Spanish midfielder to replace skipper Tomasc Rosicky.
Vela appeared poised to finally give Arsenal the lead their possession warranted 13 minutes from time when he charged through on goal, only to be brought down in a clear goalscoring position – a challenge which earned defender Hakan Balta a red card. However, Erçetin brilliantly kept out the resulting free-kick from Fabregas, and it was the closest the London club would come to winning the game despite being willed to victory by their traveling fans.
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*Michael Skibbe
"We had only a couple of chances which we could have used and scored. But our poor form this season again affected us and we missed them. But at the end it was good to take one point from the game. Talking about the dismissal it was a poor tackle but it didnt deserved a red card."
*Jose Mourinho
"We completely dominated the game yet we were unable to score. I am happy with the result. I had rested many players keeping in mind the next very importanat game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Well no blame to van persie for missing the penalty as sometimes it happens."
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Galatasaray: Erçetin ; Güngör, Uçar, Balta, Aşık ; Şaş, Karan(c), Kewell, Sabri(Baroš 77') ; Nonda, Çalık
Unused Subs: Lincoln, Meira, Linderoth, Akman, Topal, De Sanctis
Sent Off: Balta
Arsenal: Almunia ; Sagna, Song, Djourou, Clichy ; Barry, Ramsey, Rosicky(c)(Fabregas 63'), van Persie ; Vela, Bendtner(Walcott 65')
Unsued Subs: Akinfeyev, Silvestre, Nasri, Adebayor, Toure
Booked: Sagna, Barry, Ramsey
Att: 42,129
Ref: Matteo Trefoloni