Source: Team_Talk
Eduardo steals a late win in Liege
Croatia marksman Eduardo was the late match-winner - and was only available because the club successfully appealed against UEFA's two-match ban imposed for diving against Celtic in the second leg of the qualifying tie.[LNB]It had not looked good early on, though, as before Arsene Wenger's men could get going they trailed 2-0 only to fight back superbly with a well-taken goal from Nicklas Bendtner on the stroke of half-time, with Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen bundling in an equaliser and Eduardo then completing the revival 10 minutes from time.[LNB]With the 27,000-capacity Stade Maurice Dufrasne in full voice as the Belgians celebrated their first appearance in the Champions League group stages, Arsenal were under early pressure.[LNB]The visitors failed to clear a corner, and it proved costly as Eliaquim Mangala smashed a low drive into the bottom corner to give Liege a shock lead in just two minutes.[LNB]Moments after the restart William Gallas was adjudged to have tripped Milan Jovanovic - Spanish referee Eduardo Gonzalez immediately pointing to the spot.[LNB]The Serbian, with five goals already this season, stepped up to send rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone - making his Champions League debut - the wrong way.[LNB]Arsenal now faced another stern test of character as the home fans cranked up the atmosphere.[LNB]Slowly, though, the Gunners started to mount some pressure of their own, fit-again Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky central to most promising moves on what was his first start since January 2008 following a string of injury setbacks.[LNB]Eduardo's chip across the penalty area almost picked out Bendtner but goalkeeper Sinan Bolat intercepted.[LNB]Patience remained the key for Arsenal as the home crowd started to get frustrated by their side's lack of impetus.[LNB]The visitors continued to press and were getting more balls into the danger area, but they were still coming up against some resolute defending.[LNB]Then, in stoppage time, Abou Diaby charged towards the penalty area before slipping in Bendtner on the right.[LNB]The Danish striker drilled in a fine first-time shot into the far corner to give the small band of travelling Arsenal supporters hope.[LNB]However, it was Liege who almost got off to another flyer at the start of the second half, when Dieudonne Mbokani capitalised on a mistake by Alex Song to go clean through, only for Gael Clichy to make a last-gasp saving tackle.[LNB]At the other end, Bendtner lost out to Mangala in the race to a long ball up field from Rosicky.[LNB]Liege were playing a dangerous game, sitting back and inviting pressure while looking to break.[LNB]As the hour mark approached, Arsenal now faced a wall of 10 red shirts every time they went forward.[LNB]It was a scenario Arsene Wenger's men had faced all too often before, and once again they struggled for creativity.[LNB]However, the equaliser finally came in the 77th minute when a deep free-kick caused havoc in the Liege six-yard box and Vermaelen bundled it over the line.[LNB]Eduardo was denied by a fine save from Bolat and Vermaelen had an effort cleared off the line.[LNB]The Gunners, though, got what they deserved when Eduardo slotted in at close range from a corner to complete the comeback with 10 minutes to go.[LNB][LNB]
