Auxerre

This game took place at Highbury, on Tuesday 22nd October at 7:45pm. Attendance was 35,206.

Final result was 1-2. Arsenal's goalscorer was Kanu (53').

Here's the official report from Arsenal.com: "Arsenal dropped their first points in this season's Champions League with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Auxerre at a rain-swept Highbury on Tuesday night. Although we had finally surrendered that record-breaking 30-game unbeaten Premiership run at Everton on Saturday, Arsène Wenger's side were still perfect in some senses before this game. They had three wins out of three in the Champions League this term and 12 wins out of 12 at Highbury since losing 2-0 to Deportivo la Coruna on March 12 last season. However, they were not so perfect on Tuesday. Auxerre were 2-0 ahead after only 27 minutes through Olivier Kapo and Khalilou Fadiga. Although Kanu gave us hope soon after the restart, Auxerre remained resilient and focused throughout. In his pre-match press conference, Wenger predicted that Auxerre were better equipped to play away than at home. As usual, our manger was right but, still, this is no way for him to celebrate his 53rd birthday. However, he will take solace from the fact we are still top of Group A with a strong chance of reaching Phase Two. As expected, the return of Robert Pires was the main team news. The skilful Frenchman began on the bench as Wenger eased him back into first-team action after seven months out with a knee injury. Sylvain Wiltord replaced Kolo Toure on the left but otherwise we began with the side that lost at Everton on Saturday. Light rain began falling just before kick-off. And the slippery surface contributed to the game's first chance after five minutes. David Seaman came out to smother a tame shot and the ball slipped from his grasp, but Auxerre captain Lann Yaucher could only hook his shot over the bar from the edge of the area with the goal gaping. However, the visitors did not have to wait long for recompense. Three minutes later, Kapo controlled a throw-in from the right flank, cut inside and unleashed a fizzing snap-shot that curled low past Seaman's out-stretched hand and into the far corner of the net. It was the first time our defence had been breached in the Champions League this season and Auxerre's first goal against English opposition since Frank Verlaat had scored at Highbury in the Cup Winners Cup quarter-final eight years ago. They needed it, defeat here tonight and a victory for Dortmund at home to Eindhoven would have ended their hopes of progressing to Phase Two. Not surprisingly, the goal sprang the home side into life. Thierry Henry sprinted half the length of field before squaring the ball for Kanu to send a sharp, side-footed shot over the bar. Then, in the 20th minute, our Nigerian striker sent another long-range drive whistling inches past the post. But, to use a word Wenger coined on Saturday, some of our fluidity was not there. We went further behind in the 27th minute when Cole's challenge on Jean-Alain Boumsong on the edge of the area ricocheted forward to Khalilou Fadiga who coolly lobbed Seaman from close range. At the other end, Kanu continued to look our best route back into the game. And the 26-year-old sent a dangerous shot across the face of goal just past the half-hour. But, even though our effort was apparent, we never showed the ruthlessness that has been our trademark so far this season. As the rain got worse just before half time, it was apparent we needed some shelter and a little Wenger magic during the break. Our lifeline was conjured up seven minutes into the second half when Henry burst to the right-hand byline and then spotted Kanu lurking unmarked at the far post. The delivery was as crisp as the finish was simple. But, in pressing for an equaliser, there were gaps appearing for the pacy Auxerre forwards to exploit. The game would have been over as a contest but for Seaman's fine double save just before the hour. The second, a point-blank effort from Fadiga, was particularly impressive. Still the momentum was with the home side. We nearly grabbed a fortunate leveller when Vieira's long-range shot deflected off Boumsong's leg and arrowed two yards wide. With 19 minutes left, Wenger introduced Pires to rapturous applause. Toure came on for Lauren soon afterwards. The double change nearly ushered in the equaliser when Henry's low shot from an acute angle bounced high into the six-yard box and Amdy Faye had to hack clear. Pires tested Fabian Cool with a 25-yard drive just before the end. The keeper dropped it but clutched it at the second attempt. What a story that would have been, but this was a night when it was just not meant to be."