Standard de Liege 2-3 Arsenal Highlights: Eduardo Fires As Gunners Edge Narrow Victory

Eduardo

Arsenal travelled to Belgium in order to face Standard de Liege in the opening game of the Champions League.

The game began with a rude awakening for the Gunners, as they had fallen behind by two goals within the first five minutes. An early goal by Eliaquim Mangala was capped off by a penalty by Milan Jovanovic, sending the home fans on cloud nine.

But the north London club clawed their way back into the game, and a goal by Nicklas Bendtner during the dying moments of the first half gave the visitors a glimmer of home in an otherwise flimsy first half.

Upon resuming play, Les Rouches appeared content to leave Arsene Wenger’s charges to do the attacking, whilst looking for a chance to break on their opponents.

The hosts’ tactics appeared to be paying off, but a goal by Thomas Vermaelen was swiftly followed by a close range header by Eduardo, which resulted in a roar at the away end.

As the referee brought the proceedings to a close, the Belgians would have felt hard done by, just as the way the English side did during their two recent trips to Manchester in the Premier League.

Standard de Liege 2-3 Arsenal

Mangala 3 (S), Jovanovic pen 5 (S), Bendtner 45 (A), Vermaelen 77 (A), Eduardo 81 (A)