Late Ramsey goal grabs crucial victory

Aaron Ramsey scored in injury time to ensure that Arsenal grabbed a crucial 1-0 victory over french side Marseille at the Stade Velodrome. The win made sure that Arsenal are now top of group F with 7 points and 3 games remaining in the group. It was another tense night for the Gunners as Marseille created little chances which meant Arsenal did not get the freedom they would have wished for going forward but Arsenal still managed to dominate most of the game as Jenkinson and Koscielny had a great game in defence. In the Arsenal lineup Arshavin came in for Gervinho whilst Rosicky kept his place ahead of Ramsey who was on the bench. Andre Santos also came in at left back for the injured Kieran Gibbs.

Ramsey scored a late goal to send Arsenal top of Group F

The first chance of the game came to the French side as Cheyrou picked up the ball and drove a shot from distance which cleared the cross bar and flew into the crowd.

Marseille could have had a penalty early on as Morel's cross looked to have been blocked by the arm of Carl Jenkinson but nothing was given however on another night may well have been. Ayew was booked for protesting against the decision.

The first chance of the game came someway into the first half as from an Arteta corner, Van Persie saw his header cleared off the line by Diawara. However when the ball came into the box Arsenal now had a strong claim for a penalty as the ball hit the hand of one of Diarra but once again the ref did not give a penalty.

Loic Remy managed to create the french sides first chance of the match as he got to the byline before going past Mertesacker and hitting a deflected shot off Jenkinson just wide of the far post.

Despite Arsenal having more of the possession it was Marseille that were having the first half chances as Lucho Gonzalez had a good chance to give them the lead. Valbuena playing in an early cross towards Lucho who as he stretched could only put his shot wide and Szczesny was again untroubled.

Arsenal were supplying most of their pressure from corners as they created another chance from Arteta's ball in as Van Persie picked up the ball but smashed his shot wide.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first good chance of the second half fell to Arsenal and Theo Walcott. Walcott getting past N'Koulou before firing a shot but he slipped and Mandanda in the Marseille goal made an easy save from close range.

It was a second half of not many chances as the ball was contested mainly in midfield but when the ball went forward it was Arsenal on the attack. Their next chance fell to Van Persie as Gervinho played him but from a tight angle Mandanda saved the shot.

Then 2 minutes into stoppage time Arsenal took the lead through a goal from Aaron Ramsey. Djourou picking the ball up on the right hand side before delivering the ball. The ball then found its way over to Ramsey on the other side of the box who fired home past Mandanda and into the back of the net.

The final score ended Marseille 0-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Marseille: Mandanda, Azpilicueta, N'Koulou, Morel, Diawara, Diarra, Cheyrou(87), Lucho(73), Valbuena, Ayew, Remy(69).
Subs: Bracigliano, Traore, Sabo, Roland, Kabore(87), Amalfitano(73), Gignac(69).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson(62), Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos, Song, Rosicky, Arteta, Arshavin(78), Walcott(67), Van Persie. 
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou(62), Coquelin, Ramsey(78), Benayoun, Gervinho(67), Chamakh. 

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Attendance: 24,534