Standard Liège vs. Arsenal

Arsene Wenger's back-four suffered an outbreak of comical defending before Nicklas Bendtner fired them back into the game in the final seconds of the first half and two scrappy late goals from Vermaelen and Eduardo salvaged the victory and three points.

Standard's supporters greeted their start to life in Europe's premier club competition with a wild crescendo of noise, and their heroes more than responded in kind, stunning Arsenal with a goal inside two minutes. Manuel Almunia's chest infection combined with Łukasz Fabiański's pre-season injury meant Arsène Wenger was obliged to hand third-choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone the gloves and, making his own debut at this level, the Italian was beaten at his near post by a low Mangala effort from the edge of the area after Eduardo had failed to clear a corner.

Moments after the restart William Gallas was adjudged to have tripped Milan Jovanovic - Spanish referee Eduardo Gonzalez immediately pointing to the spot. The Serbian sent Vito Mannone the wrong way to make it 2-0.

Arsenal 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.

In first half stoppage, 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.

The equaliser finally came in the 77th 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 10 minutes to go.