SOCCER UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16, FIRST LEG: FC Porto 12 Arsenal 1ARSENAL DEPARTED Portugal last night with this tie very much in the balance, an away goal bolstering their prospects in the wake of narrow deficit, but a sense of livid frustration still pursued them back to London. The wounds endured were self-inflicted, the naivety of goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski exploited ruthlessly. The Pole was crestfallen by the end.
Any repeat of those horrible errors at the Emirates in three weeks’ time could propel the Londoners from this competition and, privately at least, Arsene Wenger might concede Manuel Almunia will be needed for the return.
Wenger had implored those players he had mustered for this daunting tie to “dig deep” in the build-up. This was a side robbed of its spine, stripped of attacking assets in Robin van Persie, Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo da Silva but, perhaps more critically, left depleted at the back by the absence of William Gallas, Alex Song and Almunia.
There was some relief to be had in handing the experienced Sol Campbell his first Champions League appearance since he scored in the 2006 final against Barcelona. The 35-year-old was sinking with Notts County in September in League Two. Yet here he confronted Hulk, a rampaging Brazilian, back in Europe’s elite competition, his ageing limbs creaking in pursuit of Falcao’s burst goalwards inside the opening 100 seconds. The tackle summoned by the veteran, perfectly timed to deny the Colombian, was a reminder of his quality.
Campbell’s influence would soon be felt at the other end though, initially, he had been preoccupied in defence. Hulk squirted a shot wide of the far post when he should have scored, with Fabianski claiming attempts from distance nervously. The 24-year-old, playing only his sixth game of the season, did spring to tip away Ruben Micael’s attempt as the half-hour approached though, by then, he was desperately seeking to redeem his reputation.
Arsenal had needed solidity in those frantic opening exchanges, only for Fabianski to offer up an aberration. Silvestre Varela, the right side of Porto’s trident attack, sprung into space afforded him by Gael Clichy 11 minutes in only to fizz his cross too far in front of his fellow forwards. Fabianski, however, had momentarily lost his positioning and, tumbling back to gather the bouncing ball, only managed to deflect it pathetically into his own net. It was a concession that defied belief.
Yet, Micael’s attempt aside, it was Arsenal who recovered their poise and, by the interval, the frayed nerves were all Portuguese with the home side’s lead having lasted barely seven minutes. Nicklas Bendtner’s shot had looped up off Rolando and wide of the far post with Helton beaten. From Samir Nasri’s corner, Thomas Vermaelen flicked on and Tomas Rosicky nodded back for Campbell, unmarked, to thump a free header into the net. Successive Champions League goals, albeit separated by four years.
The handbags as the players departed at the interval reflected anxiety within Porto’s ranks born of a recognition that they might have been breached again had Helton not leapt to turn away a Rosicky shot and a beautifully directed Bendtner header.
Arsenal indecision reared again and, early in the second period, they were undermined. Campbell had been retreating towards his own goal under vague pressure from Falcao, when his heavy touch sent the ball scurrying towards Fabianski. The Pole, panicked again, inexplicably gathered the back-pass and was still dithering, with Arsenal disputing the award, as referee Martin Hansson handed the ball to Micael. The midfielder touched the free-kick to Falcao who tapped it into the empty net.
Wenger was apoplectic, furious presumably that the Swedish official had given the ball to the Porto player and had then, arguably, blocked Campbell as the free-kick was tapped to Falcao. His grumbling was maintained as Arsenal looked for another goal though the reality was that Fabianski had been exposed as a liability.
GuardianService
FC PORTO: Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Pereira, Ruben Micael (Belluschi 85), Fernando, Raul Meireles (Costa 68), Varela, Falcao, Hulk (Gonzalez 81). Subs not used: Beto, Guarin, Maicon, Miguel Lopes. Booked: Bruno Alves, Fucile, Pereira, Fernando.
ARSENAL: Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Diaby, Denilson, Fabregas, Rosicky (Walcott 68), Bendtner (Vela 83), Nasri (Eboue 88). Subs not used: Mannone, Ramsey, Silvestre, Traore. Booked: Diaby.
Referee: Martin Hansson (Sweden).
