fabregas' arsenal 1 (talldanishkid) 0 dynamo kyiv

thank the gods we won that game. with captain fabtastic in charge, gallas restored and vela given a start ahead of bendtner i thought we had a chance. but the ukrainians were solid - as unbothered by the arsenal's record in europe as their fans were by the cold (several stripped to the waist to show their passion - fools!). the team did seem to play as a team again, but with few real chances to score. then with three minutes left fab took a quick free'kick/drop ball and bentdner took his chance coolly.

one of the kyiv players - aliyev - writhed around in the first half after a nothing tackle, as if he was badly hurt. then a moment later, as the visitors started an attack, he raced to his feet. cheat!! late in the second half he was sent off (for 2 yellows) after pushing the ref away from a freekick he was taking - idiot!!
cheat! idiot! loser ;)

the main feeling is relief (and mention to almunia for a terrific save) and now we have at least a germ of confidence to take into the weekend. and we are going to need it against big phil's mercenaries.