Arsenal's woes continued as they were swept aside by an impressive Schalke 04, slumping to Champions League defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

The Bundesliga side took control of Group B as goals in the final 15 minutes from Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay gave the Germans a victory their style and vigour deserved.

With Arsene Wenger in the directors' box serving the final game of a three-match touchline ban and assistant Steve Bould in charge on the touchline, Arsenal appeared slow and cumbersome, much like their performance on the weekend at Norwich City.

And once Schalke worked out Brazilian left-back Andre Santos was the glaring weak link in the Arsenal backline, they probed ruthlessly and to great effect, ending the Gunners' 100% record in the competition.

Arsenal will still feel confident of qualification for the knockout phase after victories over Montpellier and Olympiakos - but Schalke are now in pole position to take top spot in the group and potentially earn an easier draw in the last 16.

It was a tough night for Arsenal and Wenger as Schalke showed a potency in attack that was way beyond anything the hosts could offer, a fact reflected in the loud jeers that rang around the ground at the final whistle.

And it was Gervinho, entrusted with the central striker role vacated by the benched Olivier Giroud, who typified the Gunners’ lack of urgency and penetration up front.

Arsenal survived an early scare when Afellay, on loan from Barcelona, went down in the area under a challenge from goalkeeper Vito Mannone after a misunderstanding from Carl Jenkinson. But referee Jonas Eriksson ruled that the winger had dived and he was punished with a yellow card.

Opportunities were at a premium and when Gervinho did break away he was isolated and crowded out by Schalke defenders as he attempted to weave his way into the box.

Schalke were targeting the wayward positioning of Santos throughout, but were running into a formidable barrier in the shape of Germany defender Per Mertesacker. The former Werder Bremen star’s performance was exemplified by a brave block from a stinging Jefferson Farfan shot.

Santos was nowhere to be seen again as Atsuto Uchida broke into the area. Arsenal were then fortunate the normally lethal Huntelaar was wayward with his finish at the near post.

Another break into the same left-flank territory after the interval saw Benedikt Howedes spurning a great chance, after being played in by the lively Farfan.

Gervinho was feeling the full wrath of the Arsenal fans but he almost created the opener with a direct run and cross - but none of his teammates were waiting to apply the final touch as the ball flashed across goal.

There was to be no further opportunity for Gervinho to redeem himself as he was replaced by Giroud in an attempt to inject impetus into the hosts' attack.

Schalke had been the more threatening team throughout and it was no surprise when they took the lead with 14 minutes left.

Santos was once again culpable, when both full backs played Huntelaar on side, the Dutch striker was costless to lash home a powerful finish from point blank range.

Afellay completed the job with four minutes left, converting the simplest of chances after Farfan had once again embarrassed the labouring Santos.
 

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About the author
Jay Allan
Jay is our Tennis and Arsenal Editor at Vavel.com. He harbours unlikely ambitions to become the new Manish Bahsin from the Football League Show, and even unlikelier aspirations to mould himself into a half-Indian version of Des Lynam.