Standard 2-3 Arsenal: Bendtner's Boys Battle Back Bravely In Belgium

Arsenal avoided a third-straight loss by coming from two goals behind to defeat Standard Liege 3-2 in the opening group stage match of this season's Champions League campaign on Wednesday.

Hoping to steady the ship after back-to-back Premiership losses in Manchester, the Gunners only made things tougher on themselves with a couple of early mistakes that had Standard Liege 2-0 up less than five minutes into the game at Maurice Dufrasne Stadium in Belgium.

With the home supporters in a frenzy before the match—this being the first-ever CL group stage appearance for their team—even they were surprised by the shocking developments in the opening moments.

After Eduardo da Silva failed to clear a corner for the hosts two minutes in, Eliaquim Mangala collected at the edge of the area and fired a shot past Vito Mannone, the young keeper starting only his second first-team game for Arsenal.

The 21-year-old Italian keeper's next touch of the ball was again to pick it out of the net, courtesy of a penalty struck by Milan Jovanovic. The Standard striker converted from the spot in the fifth minute after referee Eduardo Gonzalez ruled that he was clipped in the box and brought down by William Gallas.

Caught cold in the initial European encounter, the Gunners continued to struggle throughout the first half, as their vaunted passing game failed to take hold. While beginning to control possession, Arsenal had few solid chances on goal until the last minute of the half.

Abou Diaby's surging run just before the break led to a fine goal from Nicklas Bendtner, who slotted the ball past Sinan Bolat and cut the lead in half, giving Arsenal hope for the second half.

The second period almost began like the first, as a blunder by Alex Song gave Standard a chance in the first minute, only for a Gael Clichy tackle to thwart the opportunity. Seconds later, Tomas Rosicky almost played Bendtner in for an equalizing chance, but the Dane was stopped by a perfectly-timed challenge from Mangala.

Arsenal soon gained control, with the home side content to retreat and look for chances on the counter. Although the visitors' pressure didn't lead to many chances, the Gunners were beginning to wear down the Standard defense.

Aaron Ramsey replaced Rosicky just before the 70-minute mark, and just as two more substitutes were set to be inserted nine minutes later, Arsenal leveled the match from a free kick.

A goalmouth scramble off a floated ball in from Fabregas saw Thomas Vermaelen bundle home after a touch from Song, who could have been ruled offside on the play.

But the goal was allowed, and with Standard's players looking a bit deflated, the Gunners continued to apply pressure for the game-winning goal. The next few minutes saw an Eduardo strike saved superbly by Bolat, while a Vermaelen effort from a corner was cleared off the line by a defender.

Another Arsenal corner (in the 83rd minute) did produce the deciding goal, with the Gunners' third coming off the knee of Eduardo, who was only allowed to play when UEFA annulled its two-game ban of the Croation one day prior to the match.

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