Arsenal Frustrated By Fenerbahce

After struggling in the Premier League in recent weeks, Arsenal took to the pitch no doubt delighted to see a Fenerbahce side they had overwhelmed 5-2 only weeks ago.

Yet the Gunners still bore the scars of the defeat to Stoke. Out went the injured trio of Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor and Bacary Sagna replaced by Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey and Johann Djourou whilst Lukasz Fabianski also took his place in between the posts deputising for an ill Manuel Almunia.

Yet the change in personnel did not affect the first half performance as Arsene Wenger’s side dominated the opening period and created chance after chance yet were unable to find a finish.

Van Persie had the best of the efforts and as early as the seventh minute almost put Arsenal ahead. A cute chipped ball into the box by Fabregas was met first time by the Dutchman but his shot slid just wide.

The Dutchman then turned provider, his shot being parried by Demirel but only falling to Samir Nasri in the box. Yet with the goal gaping the Frenchman miscontrolled the ball and the chance went begging.

Minutes later and van Persie came within a whisker of finding the back of the net. A Fabregas shot was again saved by Demirel and the ball fell to van Persie at close range but he somehow contrived to smash the ball into the ground and over the bar.

Perhaps the best chance of the half came just after the half hour mark. Toure slid a pass through to the Dutchman and he turned inside and beat his defender before curling a shot which Demirel did superbly well to tip onto the bar.

A more confident Fenerbahce emerged for the second half and within minutes of the restart Arsenal were almost made to pay for their profligacy. Guiza was put through on the break and with an uncertain Fabianski opting to stay in his goal the striker wasted the chance by shooting wide.

Arsene Wenger responded by replacing Aaron Ramsey with Abou Diaby and the ineffective Nicklas Bendtner with Carlos Vela as he searched for the breakthrough.

The young Vela almost made an instant impression. The Mexican escaping his marker before feeding Clichy who crossed for van Persie only for the Dutchman to head the ball harmlessly over the bar.

Arsenal continued to press but their performance was growing familiar to an increasingly frustrated Emirates crowd. Plenty of attractive approach work but little in the way of cutting edge and certainly not enough to break down a diligent Fenerbahce side.

Eventually the visitors held out fairly comfortably for the draw, a result that restores pride to Luis Aragones’ side especially after their mauling by Arsenal in Istanbul.

The Gunners, meanwhile, are now without a win in three games and up next for Arsene Wenger’s men is the visit of Manchester United.

Arsenal: Fabianski; Toure, Djourou, Silvestre (Song, 83), Clichy; Ramsey (Diaby, 59), Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri; van Persie, Bendtner (Vela, 59).

Fenerbahce: Demirel; Gonul, Edu, Lugano, Roberto Carlos (Vederson, 68); Kazim Kazim (Bilgin, 59), Maldonado (Josico, 68), Sahin, Boral; Senturk, Guiza.