ACTUALITE |
23.11.2001
Depor too strong for Arsenal
Arsenal suffered a sixth successive away defeat in the Champions League as two early Deportivo goals put paid to their chances in the Riazor.
Arsenal got their Champions League Phase Two campaign off to a poor start when they conceded a goal to Deportivo striker Roy Makaay after only eight minutes, with Diego Tristan scoring a second on 25 minutes to ensure that The Gunners miserable away form in the competition continued. To add to their problems, Richard Wright was forced to be replaced at half-time by Stuart Taylor after aggravating a knee injury.
The Gunners showed four changes to the side that started at Spurs at the weekend, with Thierry Henry returning for the absent Dennis Bergkamp.
Freddie Ljungberg and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were back in the side as well, with Ray Parlour and Gilles Grimandi dropped to the bench. Matthew Upson replaced the injured Martin Keown in the centre of defence.
An early mis-hit cross from Victor was saved by Wright, who then kept out a Makaay header, but after Ljungberg had fired over for The Gunners, Deportivo took the lead on eight minutes. A brief period of pinball in and around the Arsenal box ended with Makaay, fresh from his weekend hat-trick, firing a fierce left-footed drive past Wright which took a slight deflection to deceive the Gunners` keeper.
The Gunners responded with a Robert Pires shot which was comfortably saved by Jose Molina before Deportivo doubled their lead on 25 minutes. Tristan`s whipped shot from the corner of the 18-yard box once again deceived Wright who was comprehensively beaten at his near post. Minutes later, Victor very nearly scored an identical goal to Tristan`s, only for the ball to swerve into the side-netting watched by a relieved Wright. Tristan was then forced to go off with a hamstring strain to be replaced by Amavisca.
Henry`s most significant first-half contribution was to earn himself a yellow card for a display of petulance as his frustration grew.
Arsene Wenger took the decision to replace the struggling Wright at half-time with Stuart Taylor, yet to make his Premiership debut for the club.
Makaay was forced to be replaced by Deportivo four minutes after the break, with Walter Pandiani coming on and soon making his mark as he headed Victor`s cross wide of the post when he should have made it three.
A drive from Patrick Vieira produced a rare save from Molina as the home keeper touched the effort wide, before Pandiani again had an opportunity to extend Deportivo`s lead but the substitute volleyed tamely wide at the far post.
A brief spell of Arsenal pressure then saw Sylvain Wiltord`s shot whistle over the bar, with the Frenchman replaced by Kanu shortly afterwards.
A dipping volley from Djalminha was saved by Taylor, but as the game meandered towards its conclusion, an Henry free-kick on the edge of the box was inches away from giving The Gunners a consolation goal on yet another Champions League evening away from home to forget for Wenger`s side, who have now lost eight of their last nine away games in the Champions League.
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Hits: 1 | Source:Internetsoccer | |
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