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. 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.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.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.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.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.Moments after the restart William Gallas was adjudged to have tripped 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.AtmosphereArsenal now faced another stern test of character as the home fans cranked up the atmosphere.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.Eduardo's chip across the penalty area almost picked out Bendtner but goalkeeper Sinan Bolat intercepted.Patience remained the key for Arsenal as the home crowd started to get frustrated by their side's lack of impetus.The visitors continued to press and were getting more balls into the danger area, but they were still coming up against some resolute defending.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.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.At the other end, Bendtner lost out to Mangala in the race to a long ball up field from Rosicky.LevellerLiege were playing a dangerous game, sitting back and inviting pressure while looking to break.As the hour mark approached, Arsenal now faced a wall of 10 red shirts every time they went forward.It was a scenario Wenger's men had faced all too often before, and once again they struggled for creativity.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.Eduardo was denied by a fine save from 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 nine minutes to go.Standard LiegeTeam StatisticsArsenal2Goals321st Half Goals13Shots on Target90Shots off Target21Blocked Shots34Corners516Fouls184Offsides13Yellow Cards10Red Cards066.5Passing Success86.937Tackles2289.2Tackles Success81.829.2Possession70.837.7Territorial Advantage62.3