The match began.
Partizan Belgrade's players were fired up. From the start, they launched into a high-intensity, fast-paced game.
Arsenal clearly had a game plan for dealing with the kind of football played by these lesser European sides.
First, they kept the ball at their feet, passing it around patiently across the back and through midfield.
They lured Partizan Belgrade's players into making pointless runs, wearing down their stamina.
After all, when a person's adrenaline was surging, their energy inevitably drained faster.
As Arsenal kept passing the ball around, Partizan Belgrade's players couldn't get near it.
After making enough pointless runs, no one was willing to keep chasing.
Once Partizan Belgrade's players had come down from their opening burst of energy, Arsenal struck a deadly blow.
The 15th minute.
Wilshere played a simple one-two with Nasri in midfield, then carried the ball all the way toward the right wing.
He threaded a pass into the open space on the right side of the attacking third. Sagna, making a forward run, collected it and cut into the box.
With Krstačić defending him, Sagna laid the ball off to Arshavin, who had come over to support him.
Arshavin passed it back to Wilshere, then immediately surged into the box.
Wilshere didn't hesitate. With a one-touch second pass, he sent the ball straight through Aleksandar's legs. Arshavin had arrived right on cue, and, following the ball's path, he curled a left-footed shot toward goal.
Partizan Belgrade's goalkeeper, Stojkovic, dived to his right and just managed to graze the ball with his fingertips, but couldn't stop it from nestling in the net.
"GOOOOOOOAL!!!"
"Number 23, Arshavin!!!"
"Arshavin races into the box and scores from Wilshere's assist! Arsenal now lead 1–0."
After scoring, Arshavin ran to the sidelines and struck his trademark pose, tilting his