BERLIN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- German side Schalke clawed back from a 2-0 deficit at home to share points with Arsenal owing to goals by Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Jefferson Farfan in group B of UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Schalke staged a dominant opening period at outsold Veltins Arena to give Arsenal a hard time yet it were the visitors that broke the deadlock against the run of the match with 18 minutes on the clock.
Arsenal's Theo Walcott capitalized on a rebound to poke home into the open goal. The "Royal Blues" were still dazed by the opener when Arsenal's Olivier Giroud headed home a cross by Lukas Podolski to double the lead seven minutes later.
In the dying minutes of the first half the hosts picked up as Klaas Jan Huntelaar reduced Arsenal's lead to 2-1 when he finished a combination into bottom left from inside the box.
After the break Schalke piled on the pressure to press the " Gunners", that seemed content with the neat lead, into defense.
The hosts created one chance after the other against passive Arsenal. Nevertheless, with 67 minutes into the match Arsenal were unable to bear up against Schalke's run on the goal.
Jefferson Farfan exploited a flicked on cross by Ibrahim Afellay to slot home the equalizer at the second post.
In the closing period, Theo Walcott was close to a winner but Schalke goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall ensured the two all draw with his save.
Consequently Schalke remain unbeaten at the UEFA Champions League to occupy first position in group B, followed by Arsenal, Olympiacos and Montpellier.
"A big complement to my team that fought back from a 2-0 deficit. It was important to reduce Arsenal's lead before the break. The spectators have seen a great match," Schalke coach Huub Stevens said.
Recommendations:
News we recommend
Landmark building should respect the public's feeling
Feedback
RSS
