Adebayor wonder strike earns Arsenal draw

VILLARREAL, Spain (Reuters) - Emmanuel Adebayor's superb overhead strike secured Arsenal a 1-1 draw away to Villarreal in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg on Tuesday.

The game was only 10 minutes old when Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna received the ball outside the area and scored with a fierce drive that flew into the top corner.

Arsenal were hindered by first-half injuries to goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and defender William Gallas who both had to be substituted, as Villarreal dominated.

But the Londoners responded in the second half and Adebayor's acrobatic effort from Cesc Fabregas's pass in the 66th minute left the visitors with an away-goal advantage for the return leg in London on April 15. "I don't even know how I scored that, but the most important thing was that the ball went into the back of the net," Adebayor told ITV.

"It was quite difficult for us because they played some very good football. The second leg is going to be tough, but we will do everything to get through. We got a good result to take home and we are very happy."

A match which started at a hectic pace, full of slick passing from both sides, was blown open when Senna's thunderbolt left Almunia with no chance.

Visiting defender Gael Clichy had already blocked an attempt from a corner on the line by then, but Arsenal responded with Samir Nasri testing keeper Diego Lopez at his near post in the 18th minute.

DOUBLE BLOW

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was forced into making a change in the 27th when Almunia had to be substituted for Lukasz Fabianski, after he failed to recover from an earlier knock to his right ankle.