Source: SKY_Sports
Gunners given Belgian fright
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Arsenal fought back from two goals down to record a 3-2 victory over Standard Liege in their opening UEFA Champions League Group H tie on Wednesday evening.[LNB] The Gunners suffered a nightmare start when Eliaquim Mangala's low strike and a Milan Jovanovic penalty put the Belgian champions two up in the opening five minutes.[LNB]But Nicklas Bendtner's first goal of the season just prior to half-time handed the visitors a lifeline after what had been a hugely unconvincing first period from Arsene Wenger's charges.[LNB]And they restored parity through Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen in the 78th minute, albeit in controversial circumstances, before Eduardo popped up with a winner two minutes later.[LNB]StunnedWith the 27,000-capacity Stade Maurice Dufrasne in full voice as the Belgians celebrated their first appearance in the Champions League group stage, Arsenal were under early pressure.[LNB]The visitors failed to clear a corner, and it proved costly as 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 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]AtmosphereArsenal 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]LevellerLiege 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 Wenger's men had faced all too often before, and once again they struggled for creativity.[LNB]However, the equaliser finally came in the 78th 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 nine minutes to go.[LNB][LNB]Standard LiegeTeam StatisticsArsenal2Goals321st Half Goals13Shots on Target90Shots off Target21Blocked Shots34Corners516Fouls184Offsides13Yellow Cards10Red Cards066.5Passing Success86.937Tackles2289.2Tackles Success81.829.2Possession70.837.7Territorial Advantage62.3
