Source: PA
Gunners through as runners-up
Arsenal moved into the last 16 of the Champions League with a laboured 3-1 win over Group H whipping boys Partizan Belgrade at the Emirates Stadium.
Successive away defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga had left the Gunners - who opened their European campaign with three straight victories - still needing a result to secure safe passage through to the knockout stages for the 11th successive season.
After a lacklustre start, Robin van Persie fired the home side ahead from the penalty spot. Marko Jovanovic upended van Persie after Alex Song had burst into the Partizan penalty area. The Dutchman took the spot-kick himself to fire home his first goal since the final day of last season.
Arsenal's defensive frailties were exposed again when Partizan scored a shock equaliser in the 52nd minute. The ball was worked down the left and then through to Cleo, some 20 yards out. He was given the space to turn and fire a shot goalwards, which deflected off the lunging Sebastien Squillaci and looped over Lukasz Fabianski.
With 24 minutes left, Arsene Wenger looked to inject fresh life into the attack as he sent on Theo Walcott, replacing the ineffective Andrey Arshavin. The England winger fired Arsenal in front seven minutes later, lobbing the ball into the far corner after it fell to him on the right side of the area.
Marouane Chamakh was replaced by Nicklas Bendtner and the Dane had a hand in Arsenal's third after a neat exchange of passes with Song on the edge of the area fed Samir Nasri - and the Frenchman sidestepped his marker as he swept the ball into the far corner. There was late drama as Bacary Sagna was sent off for tripping Alexander Lazevski after being deemed last man by Italian referee Paolo Tagliavento.
