Arsenal 3-1 Partizan: Gunners grab two late goals to ensure qualification

LONDON: Arsenal have shaken off a couple of poor Champions League results to go through to the Round of 16 with a 3-1 home win over Partizan Belgrade.

The Gunners needed a win to get through to the second stage for the 11th season in a row and it started well when Robin van Persie converted from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark.

However, there were some nervous moments when Partizan’s Cleo hit back in the 52nd minute when he struck from 20 yards out to see the ball deflect off Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci and into the back of the net.

But thankfully for Gunners fans, Theo Walcott restored sanity in the 73rd minute with a neat lob before Samir Nasri wrapped up proceedings four minutes later.

Arsenal then had Bacary Sagna sent off for an 85th minute challenge on Alexander Lazevski but it wasn’t enough for the Serbians to get back into the contest.

Arsenal ended up in second position behind Shakhtar Donetsk whilst Partizan remained pointless at the bottom of the group.

UEFA Champions League – Group H
Arsenal (ENG): 3 (Robin van Persie (p) 30’, Theo Walcott 73’, Samir Nasri 77’)
Partizan Belgrade (SRB): 1 (Cleo 52’)

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Crowd: 58,845