Wednesday, 24th October, 2012
Arsenal have gone down to a 2-0 defeat at home to German side Schalke in the Champions League.
The Ruhr giants took the lead in the second half, when prolific goal-getting Klaas-Jan Huntelaar found the back of the net in the 76th minute, and Arsenal could have few complaints, with Schalke well worth their goal.
And Schalke put the victory beyond any doubt when on-loan attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay netted in the 86th minute.
Arsenal struggled throughout the game, registering just one shot on goal and rarely threatening to carve open Schalke in the manner they so often do against English opposition.
In a further sign of the shock nature of the loss , it was the first time the Gunners have been beaten at home in European competition by a non-English side since they moved to the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will be particularly concerned over just how little his side managed to create over the 90 minutes, with Schalke rarely being troubled, while they caused Arsenal real trouble on the flanks.
relatedNewsStoryFor Huub Stevens’ men, the victory in London is the continuation of some fine form of late.
At the weekend, Schalke beat bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Bundesliga and clearly brought that confidence to the Emirates Stadium.
The result put Schalke in command in Group B, topping it with seven points from three games, while Arsenal sit second on six points from their three matches.
The other game in the group saw Olympiacos claim an unlikely 2-1 win in France against Montpellier.
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