Superb Arsenal eye semis after beating Juventus 2-0

LONDON, Mar 28 (Reuters) Goals by Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry gave Arsenal an impressive 2-0 home victory over Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final today as the Italians finished with nine men.

Arsenal, who knocked out Real Madrid in the last round, were the more enterprising team throughout and took the lead through 18-year-old Spanish midfielder Fabregas in the 40th minute.

They were in total command in the second half, doubling the lead in the 69th minute as Fabregas set up Henry, and should really have had more goals.

Juventus, firmly on course to retain the Italian title and seeking their third European Cup success 10 years after their second, were desperately disappointing and barely mustered a shot on goal.

They ended with nine men after red cards for Mauro Camoranesi and Jonathan Zebina in the last four minutes and with former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira booked all three are ruled out of the return leg.

REUTERS PDS RN0215