ARSENAL cruised into the group stages of the Champions League with an emphatic victory over FC Twente making for a miserable return to English soil for Steve McClaren.
The former England coach saw his Dutch side ripped apart by Arsène Wenger's impressive outfit.
The Gunners impressed from kick-off and it was no surprise when they went ahead through the £12million French winger Samir Nasri on 27 minutes,
his shot taking a slight deflection.
The hosts doubled their lead after 52 minutes. The ball dropped to Nicklas Bendtner on the left side of the area and he cut inside before firing in a low shot, which the Twente keeper could only push back into the path of William Gallas – who slotted home from close range. It was 3-0 soon after when Theo Walcott scampered clear and produced a cool finish into the bottom right corner and Bendtner completed the rout with a minute left.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas (Song Billong 68), Denilson, Nasri (Eboue 46), Van Persie (Adebayor 65), Bendtner. Subs not used: Fabianski, Toure, Vela, Ramsey,
FC Twente: Mihailov, Wielaert, Tiote, Franco, Braafheid (Rajkovic 87), Denneboom, Heubach (Wellenberg 46), Brama, Janssen, Elia, Huysegems. Subs not used: Paauwe, Zomer, Gerritsen, Chery, Reimerink,
Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)
The full article contains 221 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
