Champions League Group H wrap: Gunners, Shakhtar clinch spots

Shakhtar Donetsk joined Arsenal in qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League from Group H after both sides posted victories on Wednesday.

Despite leading the English Premier League heading into the fixture, Arsenal were somewhat sluggish and were nearly held to an embarrassing home draw before two strikes in the last 20 minutes to Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri wrapped up victory.

In a game Arsenal were expected to win easily, they received a gift on 30 minutes when a penalty was awarded to the Londoners.

Robin van Persie – wearing the captain’s armband- scored his first goal since May with the resultant spot-kick, firing into the right-hand corner and giving Andriy Pyatov little chance in goal.

But just after half-time, Arsenal were stunned as Brazilian striker Cleo took advantage of some hesitant defending and a deflection to level proceedings from 20 yards.

Walcott’s introduction sparked Arsenal and he scored the all-important second goal when he chested down before finishing terrifically on the volley.

Walcott’s goal crept just inside the post and was fit to win any game, but the link-up play between Alex Song and Samir Nasri before the Frenchman’s winner was also a delight to watch.

Nasri then produced a lovely turn and finish for his 12th goal of the season to make it 3-1.

The goal was a strong reminder of how good Arsenal can be, but manager Arsene Wenger will be keen to eradicate the sort of form they showed in the first 70 minutes against Partizan.

The Gunners will now face either Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Schalke in the Round of 16 stage after they finished second in their group, behind 2009 UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk.

Shakhtar won their fifth match from six in Group H with a 2-0 triumph over Sporting Braga in Donetsk.

The hosts left it late with two goals in the last 12 minutes sealing their progression and also ending Braga’s Champions League run, with the Portuguese side now entering the Round of 32 in the Europa League.

A superb Razvan Rat strike after 78 minutes handed the hosts the lead, with the defender lashing home from 20 yards.

Luis Adriano stabbed home from close range five minutes later to wrap up the result.