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New campaign but same old problems for Arsenal
James Olley at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne17 Sep 2009
Arsene Wenger feels Arsenal can take heart from their 3-2 Champions League victory in Standard Liege, where man-of-the-moment Eduardo completed a remarkable comeback with a late winner.
The Croatia striker was available for last night's Group H opener in Belgium only because his club successfully appealed against a two-match ban imposed for diving against Celtic in the second leg of the qualifying tie.
It was the Brazil-born marksman who had the final word when he stabbed home a corner as the Gunners completed a remarkable comeback, having trailed 2-0 inside five minutes.
"It is always inevitable with Eduardo," reflected the Arsenal manager.
"He was caught out on the first goal, but he is a guy who can always turn up on crosses - because he has that anticipation."
The result will boost morale following two successive defeats in the Barclays Premier League to Manchester United and then City last weekend.
"When you are at a big club, you cannot afford to have too many defeats on the trot," said Wenger.
"It was important to respond, after being 2-0 down. This will strengthen belief within the camp."
It had, though, not looked good early on at the packed Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
Eduardo failed to clear a corner, and Eliaquim Mangala fired in low strike past rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone - making his Champions League debut.
Almost immediately, Serbian Milan Jovanovic netted from the penalty spot after he was adjudged to have been brought down by William Gallas.
However, Arsenal fought back with a well-taken goal from Nicklas Bendtner on the stroke of half-time.
Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen bundled in a second-half equaliser, at which Liege complained Alex Song was offside and also handled.
Eduardo then completed the turnaround for the injury-hit Gunners - who were without both first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and forward Robin van Persie - when he netted from close range.
"We were caught cold by a team who were really ready and started out of the blocks at full power," said Wenger.
"To win away from home in the Champions League and score three goals, you know it will be tough.
"You are in a position where you have to attack with full power, without restriction, and know that the next goal will kill you.
"We could not afford to concede a third goal but had to try to come back to 2-1 at least before half-time - which is what we did.
"In the second half, the game dropped a bit in physical intensity.
"When they got tired, we got some set-pieces and took advantage.
"Standard gave absolutely everything. They played like a cup final with full commitment - and they deserve a lot of credit."
The Arsenal manager did not get a good view of the match's two controversial incidents, the first-half penalty and Vermaelen's equaliser.
"The penalty looked harsh, but I have not seen it again," he said.
"As for our equaliser, it was impossible to see from the bench."
Standard coach Laszlo Boloni lamented the way his men sat back after a fine start - but felt Arsenal were more than fortunate in their equaliser.
"Arsenal had good help from the referee at their second goal - two players were offside, and there was also a handball," he said.
"This was the moment when they got more motivation and we lost ours, but the biggest problem was we have to play better."
Reader views (9)
Arsenal had 9 players out for the game against Liege and we still got a win. Liege are awful and we should not have been two down. Sometimes I think that the players cannot be mentally ready for these games! We lost to Utd by an own goal and Adebayor should not have been on the pitch when he scored. He would have been sent off at 1-1 and that would have changed the game. Arsenal are better than Chelsea, United, Liverpool, Spurs except the first two know how to win games when they are playing badly. Once the Arsenal do that, we will win the title. We have the personel to do it when we have a full team out, the squad needs bulking up though. We should never have sold Diarra, unfortunately like Adebayor, he was a trouble maker. Arsenal 3 - 0 Wigan on Saturday
- Mark Wilkins, Maidenhead, England, 18/09/2009 08:39
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Please watch highlights of the goal before declairing it offside, Song and vermalaen where onside when the free kick came, eduardo didnt touch the ball but even if he did, it was hairline, so the goal was legitimate. As for the handball, yes it was, about time arsenal had some luck!
And Rooney dived for the goal, he was already going down when almunia touched him! But yes, arsenal CANT defend!
- Leo, London, UK, 17/09/2009 21:36
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Rob what do you mean a "seriously difficuilt away start". Everton, City and Utd are all teams that have to be beaten if you want to win anything this year. As usual you have failed losing to two of them despite outplaying them and having 65% of the ball. Its no good shouting about being a top club if you think losing two of your first four prem games is acceptable. And as for the rise up the table what do you mean- going from eight to seventh I suppose. Cant you see this is another failure for Wengers under acheivers who will win nothing while they cant defend or have a forward who can score consistently. Liege were a sub standard side who were embarrasingly winning 2-0. A better side would not have folded and let you back in it. Dream on for another season.
- Mr. Honest, essex uk, 17/09/2009 15:36
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Why nobody sees our main promblem as a team. We CANNOT DEFEND FOR OUR LIFES FOR GODSAKE"!!!We can score goals play magnificently but we cannot defend.We need a world class goalkeeper ,a tall defender and Glichy to perform better.Teach Song how to play in front of the back four. Both Song and Clichy are magnificent players but they need more concetration.I am an old fashion supporter as I always believe that you built a team from the back.
- Doukani, herts, 17/09/2009 15:16
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With a seriously difficult away start to campaign behind us & many injuries, we have started our European campaign with an away win. With a nice run of games ahead in the Premiership, players returning from injuries & rivals playing each other, Arsenal should start to rise up the table.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 17/09/2009 13:51
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Wenger still moaning about the officials even when things went Arsenals way, yet again he couldn't see the obvious t Arsenals foul.
- James, Manchester England, 17/09/2009 13:22
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Jim you are as blind as Mark Hughes, it was clear Gallas tripped him up in the box. Equally, Song clearly hand balled for teh equaliser. That said I still think you deserved to win.
- Graham Roberts Fanclub, Kent, 17/09/2009 12:47
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I have noticed that nobody mentioned the dive made and a penalty against Arsenal given.Nobody noticed that it was a DIVE.? The newspapers created hell when Eduardo dived.
WENGER is to blame for Arsenal's mistakes because when he had so many injuries why did he play Eboue.Why Diaby is never substituted when he is making so many mistakes?
- A.Messina, Malta, 17/09/2009 12:41
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Great comeback from Arsenal,the penalty given to Liege was shows that referees are not up to scratch.In my opinion if they had stuck with the Eduardo ban,then Milan Josanvic would have,had to been banned for the same offence.No way were two Arsenal players offside for the second goal,in all a good start to the campaign.Really pleased to see Eduardo net the winner after all the flak he has been wrongly subjected to in the last couple of weeks.
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand, 17/09/2009 11:41
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