Gunners denied by late strike
AZ ALKMAAR (1) vs ARSENAL (1)
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger voiced his frustration after seeing his side’s perfect start to their European campaign ruined in the 93rd minute.
A first-half goal from captain Cesc Fabregas looked set to earn the Gunners a third straight win in Champions League Group H, and an eighth in a row in all competitions.
But deep into stoppage time Dutch league winners AZ Alkmaar launched a long set-piece into the visitors’ area, where midfielder David Mendes da Silva levelled with a rasping volley.
“We are frustrated because we felt superior to this team,” said Wenger. “We had a good performance but we couldn’t take our chances and got caught in the final minute. In the Champions League you need focus for 93 minutes – tonight we made one mistake and paid for it.”
Arsenal should have added to their tally and striker Robin van Persie in particular will wonder how he did not score. He fired a clear-cut chance straight at Sergio Romero and then saw the Argentinian goalkeeper sprawl to save his curling free-kick.
Van Persie did lay on the Gunners’ goal on 36 minutes, squaring for Fabregas to tap into an unguarded net to cap a fine move.
But as the game wore on Arsenal tired and Alkmaar threw more men forward. Abou Diaby headed onto his own bar and Hector Moreno went close before substitute Graziano Pelle knocked down for Da Silva to lash in a dramatic late leveller.
GROUP H
TEAM PLD W D L GD PTS
Arsenal 3 2 1 0 3 7
Olympiacos 3 2 0 1 0 6
AZAlkmaar 3 0 2 1 -1 2
Standard Liege 3 0 1 2 -2 1