Arsenal 0-2 Schalke - Arteta, Mannone on a disappointing result | Champions League 2012-13
- 10 years ago
Arsenal's limitations were exposed by an impressive Schalke 04 as they slumped to Champions League defeat at Emirates Stadium.
The Bundesliga side took control of Group B as goals in the final 15 minutes from Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay gave the Germans a victory their superiority fully deserved.
With Arsene Wenger in the directors' box serving the final game of a three-match touchline ban and assistant Steve Bould in charge on the touchline, Arsenal never made any serious impression on a night of sheer frustration.
And once Schalke worked out Brazilian left-back Andre Santos was the glaring weak link in the Arsenal line-up, they probed ruthlessly and to great effect to end the Gunners' 100% record in the competition.
Arsenal will still feel confident of qualification for the knockout phase after victories over Montpellier and Olympiakos - but Schalke are now in pole position to take top spot in the group and potentially earn an easier draw in the last 16.
It was a tough night for Arsenal and Wenger as Schalke showed a potency in attack that was way beyond anything the hosts could offer, a fact reflected in the loud jeers that rang around the ground at the final whistle.
Gervinho was entrusted with the attacking responsibilities with Olivier Giroud left on the bench, but he struggled throughout and was eventually put out of his misery with a substitution.
Arsenal survived a scare after 20 minutes when Afellay, on loan from Barcelona, went down in the area under a challenge from goalkeeper Vito Mannone after a slight hesitation from Carl Jenkinson - but referee Jonas Eriksson ruled that the winger had dived and he was punished with a yellow card.
Opportunities were at a premium and when Gervinho did break away he was isolated and crowded out by Schalke defenders as he attempted to work his way into the box.
Schalke were targeting the wayward positioning of Santos but were running into a formidable barrier in the shape of Germany defender Per Mertesacke
The Bundesliga side took control of Group B as goals in the final 15 minutes from Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay gave the Germans a victory their superiority fully deserved.
With Arsene Wenger in the directors' box serving the final game of a three-match touchline ban and assistant Steve Bould in charge on the touchline, Arsenal never made any serious impression on a night of sheer frustration.
And once Schalke worked out Brazilian left-back Andre Santos was the glaring weak link in the Arsenal line-up, they probed ruthlessly and to great effect to end the Gunners' 100% record in the competition.
Arsenal will still feel confident of qualification for the knockout phase after victories over Montpellier and Olympiakos - but Schalke are now in pole position to take top spot in the group and potentially earn an easier draw in the last 16.
It was a tough night for Arsenal and Wenger as Schalke showed a potency in attack that was way beyond anything the hosts could offer, a fact reflected in the loud jeers that rang around the ground at the final whistle.
Gervinho was entrusted with the attacking responsibilities with Olivier Giroud left on the bench, but he struggled throughout and was eventually put out of his misery with a substitution.
Arsenal survived a scare after 20 minutes when Afellay, on loan from Barcelona, went down in the area under a challenge from goalkeeper Vito Mannone after a slight hesitation from Carl Jenkinson - but referee Jonas Eriksson ruled that the winger had dived and he was punished with a yellow card.
Opportunities were at a premium and when Gervinho did break away he was isolated and crowded out by Schalke defenders as he attempted to work his way into the box.
Schalke were targeting the wayward positioning of Santos but were running into a formidable barrier in the shape of Germany defender Per Mertesacke