Arsenal recover to defeat beginners Montpellier
1 of 3. Montpellier's Suleyman Camara challenges Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen during their Champions League soccer match at the Stade de la Mosson stadium in Montpellier, September 18, 2012.
Credit: Reuters/Philippe Laurenson
MONTPELLIER, France |
MONTPELLIER, France (Reuters) - Arsenal quickly recovered from an early setback to ruin Montpellier's Champions League bow with a 2-1 victory in their opening Group B match on Tuesday.
Younes Belhanda's cheeky penalty put the French champions in front after nine minutes after Thomas Vermaelen was adjudged to have fouled him just inside the area.
The home crowd were silenced after 16 minutes when Lukas Podolski beat keeper Geoffrey Jourdren after being set up by former Montpellier favourite Olivier Giroud.
Two minutes later Gervinho put the visitors ahead from close range after a low cross into the area by Carl Jenkinson.
Montpellier pushed for an equaliser after the break and had several chances but the closest they came was when Remy Cabella's fine lob struck the woodwork just before the hour.
(Reporting by Gregory Blachier; editing by Martyn Herman)
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