Arsenal
proved that patience is a European virtue as they learned
the lessons from past Champions League setbacks to secure
a 1-0 win against PSV Eindhoven.
The Gunners still needed the inspiration of Thierry Henry,
who provided the impetus for the 41st-minute thrust which
led to PSV defender Alex putting the ball into his own net.
That was enough to hand Arsenal victory at Highbury but, while
the Gunners were below their normal Barclays Premiership best,
the outcome was still encouraging.
This may have been less like a meeting with one of the
European elite and more like a tricky London derby against
Charlton.
But the attacking fireworks can wait awhile. This game
was all about avoiding the same debilitating false start
as last season.
In their opening group game a year ago, Arsenal had got
carried away and poured forward, only to be quickly picked
off twice on the break by Inter Milan, who went on to triumph
3-0.
This time around, Arsene Wenger had unashamedly urged caution
from his team and it was a policy worth adopting in the
early stages as they tried to find a way through PSV's massed
defensive ranks.
With a five-man midfield doggedly blockading the centre
of the pitch, Phillip Cocu was deployed to keep a close
eye on Dennis Bergkamp when he dropped deep, thereby stifling
Arsenal's main creative source.
However, Arsenal obeyed instructions and bided their time,
with Jose Reyes, whose recall had forced Robert Pires out
onto the right flank, emerging as their early catalyst.
The Spaniard cut inside dangerously onto Henry's pass only
for his shot to be deflected just wide.
And while Henry himself also tested out the strength of
the side-netting with a snap-shot, PSV were contenting themselves
with a few long-range efforts.
It was left to Ashley Cole to attempt to provide some attacking
impetus and a dangerous low cross from the England full-back
was flicked just wide by Pires.
When Gilberto Silva was carried off for treatment after
a hefty challenge from Mark van Bommel, Henry thundered
in a fierce free-kick which `keeper Edwin Zoetebier managed
to deflect into the air.
The Frenchman attempted another inspired long-range effort
which Zoetebier did well to parry, but although Pires headed
home the rebound, he had already been ruled offside.
The long-awaited breakthrough nevertheless came four minutes
before the interval, with Henry unsurprisingly providing
the inspiration.
The Frenchman won a tussle for the ball on the left flank
and, having cut inside to reach the byline, his cross was
put into his own net by Brazilian defender Alex, who was
under pressure from Gilberto.
The onus was, at least theoretically, now on PSV to attack,
although Guus Hiddink was reluctant to change his formation
and Cocu remained vigilant to Bergkamp's every move.
Substitutes Jefferson Farfan and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
were called upon, but keeper Jens Lehmann had yet to be
called upon to make a meaningful save of any real note.
While Park Ji-Sung's header just cleared the bar, Farfan
shot wide from a tight angle and van Bommel was also just
off target with a long-range drive.
The home side continued to have the edge, although Henry
placed a long-range volley wide and also sent a free-kick
into the defensive wall before Gilberto headed just off-target.
Arsenal still had an escape with 13 minutes left when Vennegoor
lost his marker, Pascal Cygan, and, with Lehmann unsure
whether to come out, the Dutch striker struck a fierce shot
just wide |
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