Uefa Champions League:Bearing in mind Arsene Wenger is a staunch advocate of the theory that two-legged European ties are ultimately decided by the outcome of the first 90 minutes, it should be considered that Arsenal's Champions League campaign is now hanging by the thinnest of threads.
PSV Eindhoven 1 Mendez 61 Arsenal 0 (Attendance: 35,000)
Their first-ever defeat in Holland, secured by Mendez Edison's fabulous second-half drive, means that nothing other than victory will suffice for Arsene Wenger's men at the Emirates Stadium two-weeks today.
Arsenal and PSV are familiar foes - this was the fifth meeting between the two teams in as many seasons - but Wenger's men arrived with the psychological advantage of having never lost a Champions League game in Holland. Barring last season's final, Arsenal's last defeat in the knockout rounds came away to Bayern Munich at this stage almost two years ago and they hoped to extend that sequence with victory in what was Wenger's 600th match in charge.
After coming through an hour of Saturday's FA Cup draw with Blackburn unscathed William Gallas slotted in at right back in place of the injured Justin Hoyte and his speed and strength quelled early PSV pressure through Arouna Kone.
Playing in his third position since arriving from Chelsea last summer, Gallas' ambition provided another attacking option for the visitors but it was a slip at the back, by Philippe Senderos, that allowed Diego Tardelli a clear opening. The Brazilian miscontrolled and Jens Lehmann gathered.
Arsenal swiftly began to assert control and their slick passing game silenced the home crowd. The first half offered little cause for celebration, though. Arsenal's fluidity stemmed largely from the presence of Tomas Rosicky on the left wing and PSV had great difficulty handling his link-up play with Cesc Fabregas in midfield.
The Czech combined neatly with Thierry Henry after 13 minutes and only a hand from the PSV goalkeeper Gomes and clearance off the line from Salcido Carlos prevented Arsenal from taking the lead.
Wenger will have been frustrated that his team failed to capitalise on their dominance - Henry twice and Rosicky failing to test Gomes - yet PSV were confined to speculative efforts from long range.
Henry again found Gomes in fine form when he spun and volleyed after 42 minutes and on the stroke of half-time one of his trademark curling efforts sailed narrowly wide. PSV showed little desire to alter their game plan but they were let off the hook by Arsenal's profligacy.
PSV did, however, show more endeavour in the second period and Kone's volley wide from Salcido's deep cross after 53 minutes was a warning for an Arsenal defence that was hitherto untested.
As an attacking unit the Premiership team retreated into their shells and, in a role-reversal from the first half relied on the counter-attack. Arsenal's earlier misses were duly punished. Shortly after the hour Kone fed Mendez Edison about 30 yards from goal and, with an absurd amount of time, drilled low beyond Lehmann's outstretched right arm. It was harsh on Arsenal but the chastisement was self-inflicted.
On 69 minutes Rosicky and Fabregas exchanged passes but, once more, Gomes met the Spaniard's shot with a superb diving save. Gomes was on hand to thwart an Adebayor header soon after and, while he almost spilled a late free-kick by substitute Julio Baptista, he remained unbeaten.
In Holland Gomes is rated among the five best goalkeepers in the world and it is hard to argue with that assessment. His heroics mean Arsenal will be forced to overturn a deficit at home once more. Meanwhile, the final day of the annual four-day festival celebrations in Eindhoven continued long into the night as Arsenal's away day European blues returned to haunt them.
Guardian Service
PSV EINDHOVEN: Gomes, Kromkamp, Alex, Da Costa (Sun 65), Salcido, Culina, Simons, Cocu, Mendez, Kone, Tardelli (Vayrynen 75). Subs not used: Moens, Addo, Feher.
ARSENAL: Lehmann, Gallas, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb (Julio Baptista 75), Silva, Fabregas, Rosicky, Henry, Adebayor. Subs not used: Almunia, Ljungberg, Denilson, Flamini, Djourou, Aliadiere. Booked: Senderos.
Referee: T Ovrebo (Norway).
