Arsenal closes in on next stage with 4-1 win

Arsenal closes in on next stage with 4-1 win

Published Nov. 5, 2009 7:35 a.m. ET

Arsenal moved to the verge of qualifying to the knockout round of the Champions League on Wednesday after beating AZ Alkmaar 4-1 with two goals from captain Cesc Fabregas.


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Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby also scored for the Gunners at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal lead Group H with 10 points. Despite the loss, AZ still has a chance to qualify from its last two matches because second-place Olympiakos lost 2-0 to Standard Liege.

The Dutch team has two points, Olympiakos has six and Liege has five.

"It was a brilliant performance because we dominated our subject technically, tactically, and overall we never felt under threat," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "We played with the needed confidence. Overall, I'm very happy."

Fabregas' weak shot in the 25th minute should have been stopped by goalkeeper Sergio Romero but beat him at the near post. Romero seemed surprised by Fabregas' shot and was slow to dive to his right, barely getting his fingertips on the ball.

"The first goal our goalkeeper can do something more with that shot," AZ coach Ronald Koeman said. "But he (Fabregas) is a fabulous player."

Fabregas' first goal spurred AZ into action and the Dutch side pressed the ball further up the pitch. Maarten Martens surged forward in the 30th minute with a good run, but his shot was easily caught by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia - his first save of the night.

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