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La Mosson - Montpellier 18/09/2012 - 20:45CET (20:45 local time)
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Montpellier - Arsenal 1-2 - 18/09/2012 - Match page - UEFA Champions League 2013
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Montpellier undone by swift Arsenal comeback
Two goals in three minutes earned Arsenal FC a comeback victory at Montpellier Hérault SC in their UEFA Champions League Group B opener.
Having won Ligue 1 last season, coach René Girard was asked what his next dream was in Monday's pre-match press conference. "To swim like Michael Phelps," came the reply; 24 hours later it was a case of sink or swim for his squad, who so very nearly kept their heads above water. Younés Belhanda's impudent penalty gave the tournament debutants a ninth-minute lead, but two strikes in three minutes from Lukas Podolski and the in-form Gervinho ensured Arsenal, who weathered a formidable second-half storm, made the perfect start.
Match in 5
- Belhanda's chipped penalty puts Montpellier ahead
- Podolski and Gervinho reply with two in three mins
- MHSC old boy Giroud has hand in Arsenal goals
- Cabella hits bar as hosts dominate second half
- Arsenal record in last nine opening games is W7, D2, L0
Reaction
We tried to live up to the fans' expectations but it was difficult against a team who control the ball very well. I scored the penalty my way, but I lacked composure with my last chance.
Younès Belhanda
We played very well in the first half, not so good in the second, but we have the three points which is very important in this competition.
Lukas Podolski
Lineups
 | Montpellier |  | Arsenal |
| 16 | Jourdren (GK) | 24 | Mannone (GK) |
| 2 | Bocaly | 2 | Diaby 1 |
| 3 | Yanga-Mbiwa (C)41 | 4 | Mertesacker |
| 4 | Hilton | 5 | Vermaelen (C) |
| 5 | Bedimo | 8 | Arteta |
| 8 | Mounier 68 | 9 | Podolski 1690 |
| 10 | Belhanda 984 | 12 | Giroud76 |
| 13 | Estrada78 | 19 | Santi Cazorla90 |
| 19 | Camara78 | 25 | Jenkinson |
| 20 | Cabella | 27 | Gervinho18 |
| 23 | Saihi | 28 | Gibbs |
Substitutes | |||
| 1 | Pionnier (GK) | 60 | Shea (GK) |
| 6 | Marveaux | 6 | Koscielny |
| 11 | Herrera78 | 11 | André Santos |
| 12 | Congré | 14 | Walcott90 |
| 18 | Aït-Fana68 | 15 | Oxlade-Chamberlain |
| 22 | Stambouli78 | 16 | Ramsey76 |
| 27 | Jeunechamp | 22 | Coquelin90 |
Coaches | |||
| René Girard (FRA) | Steve Bould (ENG) | ||
Referee | |||
| Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP) | |||
Standings
Group B
| P | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Arsenal | 1 | 3 |
| 1 |  Schalke | 1 | 3 |
| 3 |  Montpellier | 1 | 0 |
| 3 |  Olympiacos | 1 | 0 |
Legend:
- P: Played
- Pts: Points
Match statistics
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Minute By Minute
- 90Walcott (in) - Podolski (out) (Arsenal)
- 90Coquelin (in) - Santi Cazorla (out) (Arsenal)
- 84Belhanda (Montpellier) is booked.
- 78Stambouli (in) - Camara (out) (Montpellier)
See also
Montpellier
Next match played UEFA Champions League: v Schalke, 03 October 2012, 2-2
Arsenal
Next match played UEFA Champions League: v Olympiacos, 03 October 2012, 3-1
Ian Holyman, La Mosson: Arsenal make the start they wanted, but Montpellier will feel they should have got something from that game. It was a spirited second-half display from the hosts that should give them hope for the games to come.