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Gunners fight back for a win
Arsenal snatch Euro win in Belgium
Champions League
Standard Liege 2, Arsenal 3
EDUARDO proved he doesn’t need to cheat to score crucial goals last night (Wednesday) – by netting the winner in a bizarre Champions League opener for the Gunners.
The Croatian striker, back in the squad after a controversial dive ban suspension was overturned by Uefa before the match, bundled home on 81 minutes after the Gunners had trailed 2-0 to Standard Liege.
The Belgium outfit – remembered in north London for a humiliating
10-0 two-leg drubbing at the hands of George Graham’s Gunners in 1993 – shocked the away support by charging into a two-goal lead within five minutes.
A back-heel blunder from Eduardo gifted the opener to Milan Jovanovic after just 45 seconds, and a converted penalty for a misjudged William Gallas tackle on five minutes looked to have put the tie out of sight. But Nicklas Bendtner’s slotted finish, through the legs of the onrushing keeper on the stroke of half-time, gave the Gunners hope in the second half.
Arsenal were camped in Liege’s half after the break. But despite long spells of possession, they were unable to break through. Gail Clichy and Abu Diaby were guilty of some shocking build-up play and misplaced passes.
It looked to be heading for a frustrating night for Wenger, in what would have been his third straight defeat. But the football gods chose a different path, apparently blinding the officials to an equaliser that appeared both offside and a handball wrapped into one.
A Cesc Fabregas free kick missed the jumping strikers and defence and rebounded off the arm of Alex Song and into the path of Thomas Vermaelen – the Belgian defender stabbed the ball over the line in a crowded box. Arsenal had the wind in their sails and it took only two minutes before Eduardo, anonymous for long spells of the match, bundled home a corner with his knee. |
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