Arsenal fought back from two goals down to defeat Standard Liege 3-2 in thrilling opening match of their Champions League campaign.

A stunning start by the hosts saw them score twice within the opening four minutes of the match. Nicklas Bendtner added a goal seconds before half-time to give Arsenal hope. Thomas Vermaelen then equalised to set up a tense finale and Eduardo sealed the three points.

The Croatian striker was due to sit out of the match after he was suspended by UEFA for diving to win a penalty against Celtic. But that ban was subsequently overturned, and Arsene Wenger will be thankful that it was.

Arsenal are now the first side to overturn a 2-0 deficit twice in the Champions League. The other time they completed the feat was in 2000 against Shakhtar Donetsk.

The night began in the most terrible fashion for the Gunners when Eliaquim Mangala started the sensational burst for Liege after two minutes.

Eduardo failed to clear the Arsenal lines after a corner and Mangala stroked the ball home from 20 yards.

Then moments later William Gallas tangled with Milan Jovanovic and the referee pointed to the spot. But replays suggested that the contact between the players, which itself was debatable, took place outside the area. However, it was an unquestionably lazy swipe from the Arsenal skipper. The controversy did not affect Jovanovic, who dusted himself off and coolly doubled Liege’s tally.

It was a truly dreadful start for the Londoners and in particular for goalkeeper Vito Mannone who was only playing due to regular stopper Manuel Almunia having a chest infection.

Bendtner ensured Arsenal finished the first half stronger when he latched onto a piercing ball from Abou Diaby. The Danish forward neatly swept through the legs of Bolat in the Standard goal after a surging run from his French team mate.

Arsenal’s front man then had a chance to level the scoring within seconds of the restart. Tomas Rosicky chipped a beautiful pass over the Liege backline but Bendtner was dispossessed by a well timed lunge from Mangala moments before he pulled the trigger.

It was on 77 minutes that the visitors finally had their equaliser, but in controversial circumstances.

Eduardo whipped in a free-kick from the left flank which fell to Alex Song at the back-post. The Cameroon international looked to be in an offside position when he received the ball and then proceeded to handle into the path of Thomas Vermaelen who tapped into an empty net.

There was no doubt about the third Arsenal goal when Eduardo guided in a corner with his knee five minutes later. The hosts were clearly stunned.

With their opponents on the rack, Arsenal pushed for a fourth but were denied when Bolat saved well from Eduardo.

The Gunners showed tremendous character to claw their way back, but will have to defend better if they hope to progress further in the competition.

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