Gunners fight back to to steal win

16 September 2009 21:13
Arsenal fought back from going 2-0 down inside five minutes to win their opening Champions League Group H clash against Standard Liege in Belgium.[LNB] Eliaquim Mangala fired the hosts ahead before Milan Jovanovic netted from the penalty spot.[LNB] Arsenal, without goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and forward Robin van Persie, fought back through Nicklas Bendtner, with Thomas Vermaelen and Eduardo securing the victory.[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. 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] The visitors started 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. 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] 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 Sinan Bolat and Vermaelen had an effort cleared off the line. 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.

Source: Eurosport