Arsenal came from behind at Villarreal to claim a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Spectacular Adebayor strike levels tie
Arsenal came from behind at Villarreal to claim a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash.
The Gunners started slowly and keeper Manuel Almunia picked up an early injury in a clash with Giuseppe Rossi - but before he could be replaced Marcus Senna had lashed home a sensational goal from 25 yards.
Almunia's replacement Lukasz Fabianski then pulled off a couple of excellent stops to keep his side in the tie before the break.
After the interval, and seemingly with Arsene Wenger's half-time team-talk ringing in their ears, Arsenal were rejuvenated and grabbed the crucial away goal.
Their pressure finally told just after the hour and it was a moment of pure genius from Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo star chested down Cesc Fabregas' looping ball into the box, before acrobatically finishing in the corner.
Both sides had chances to score again, but it ended in a draw with Arsenal now favourites to progress with a vital away goal in the bank ahead of the return leg at Emirates next week.
Villarreal have never lost at home in the Champions League and kept holders Manchester United to a goalless draw earlier this season.
So it was no surprise the hosts settled quickly. There was a goal-mouth scramble following a corner when Gael Clichy cleared off the line and Almunia smothered the loose ball as defender Gonzalo Rodriguez looked to capitalise.
Opener
Villarreal then took the lead in stunning fashion after 10 minutes.
The ball was worked down the right before being passed inside to Senna. The skipper took aim and drilled a wonderful 25-yard strike past Almunia into the top corner, setting El Madrigal alight.
Arsenal looked to respond immediately and forced a couple of corners.
A smart turn and run by Theo Walcott fed Fabregas, who slipped Samir Nasri, replacing the cup-tied Andrey Arshavin, in on the left side of the area.
The Frenchman's angled drive was pushed around the post by Diego Lopez.
Arsenal were forced into a change after 27 minutes when Almunia, who sustained an ankle injury in the early goal-line scramble, was replaced by Fabianski.
The young Pole was immediately called into action, first saving low to his left from Senna and then producing a good reaction block at the near post to deny Joan Capdevila.
The visitors had some good spells of neat passing but were unable to make the best of promising positions.
After 38 minutes, Villarreal were awarded a free-kick when Alex Song tripped Rossi, once a Manchester United player, just outside the penalty area, the Arsenal midfielder booked.
Gallas was then clattered by the falling striker and had to be carried off on a stretcher for treatment, eventually being replaced by Johan Djourou. Ariel Ibagaza struck the free-kick off the bottom of the wall.
Cani then shot wide as the Spaniards pressed for a second.
In stoppage time, Arsenal were awarded a free-kick in a central position after Adebayor went down in between two defenders.
Fabregas took his shot early, rolling the ball into the net, but the quick effort was ruled out by Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo and the Arsenal captain was shown a yellow card. Kolo Toure's strike was then blocked by the wall.
As the hour mark approached, it was continuing to be a night of frustration for the Premier League side, who had been on a decent run of form heading into the game.
Walcott floated a ball in from the right, which Adebayor glanced wide.
Stunner
Then, out of nothing, the big striker struck a superb equaliser to stun the home crowd in the 66th minute.
There seemed little danger when Fabregas, who set up both Adebayor's goals against Manchester City on Saturday, lofted a high ball into the Villarreal penalty area.
Even though surrounded by three markers and with his back to goal, Adebayor collected the ball on his chest before dispatching a brilliant scissor-kick into the far corner.
Nasri drilled wide as Arsenal went looking for a second.
Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires was introduced, to a warm reception from the travelling fans, for the final 21 minutes, replacing Joseba Llorente.
Walcott blazed over after being played in on the right of the penalty area by Fabregas, before he was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.
There was still some defending to do for the Gunners as Rossi looked to get on the end of a near-post cross before Senna almost netted another 25-yard effort.
But Arsenal remained strong under intense late pressure to give themselves every chance in the second leg.
| Villarreal |
Team Statistics |
Arsenal |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
7 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 8 |
Corners |
11 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 78.5 |
Passing Success |
81.1 |
| 24 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 91.7 |
Tackles Success |
72.2 |
| 53.5 |
Possession |
46.5 |
| 46.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
53.4 |
|
