Gunners go down in Kiev
Arsenal have a mountain to climb if they are to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat at Dynamo Kiev.
The Gunners again found themselves unable to perform to the best of their ability in European competition.
Goals from Maxim Shatskikh and Valentin Belkevich left Arsene Wenger’s side at the bottom of Group B. Arsenal will now almost certainly have to win all their remaining games after Lokomotiv Moscow beat Inter Milan 3-0.
Arsenal started the match without captain Patrick Vieira who has been suffering from a thigh problem.
However, as Arsenal started the game brightly it seemed they were not missing their club captain.
Robert Pires had a great chance after only eight minutes, but his effort from a Thierry Henry corner hit the bar. Lauren also looked dangerous and found his way into the Kiev box after 25 minutes but was denied by sturdy defence.
Kiev also looked potent going forward and shortly after Lauren’s attack the Ukrainian team had taken the lead. Shatsikh capitalised with a volleyed goal as Arsenal failed to clear at the edge of the area.
Vieira came on around the hour mark but soon afterwards the Gunners found themselves 2-0 down. Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann sent a clearance straight to Belkevich. The Kiev midfielder had his first effort blocked by the German stopper, but found the net with his second shot from a tight angle.
Pires provided a goal for Henry with 11 minutes to go, the Gunners first in five hours of European football. However, it was too little too late. The visitors piled on the pressure in the final minutes and Kolo Toure even hit the bar in extra time. Again Arsenal were out of luck in Champions League football.
