Giroud returns to help Arsenal silence new boys

Montpellier 1 Arsenal 2

Bould on the touchline; not so bold on the pitch. Arsenal opened their 15th successive Champions League campaign with two counter-punches of attacking power as they made their move in Group B. Not that they were not hurt themselves. Defensive lapses, and a whirlwind of desire from the home side and their supporters, meant an apparently easy ride turned into a white-knuckle rollercoaster at times. But Arsenal sucked it up and held on.

With Arsene Wenger banned from the dug-out it was left to his new assistant, and the club's former defender, Steve Bould to take charge of the side and, once again Arsenal played a French team on French soil and enjoyed success. Just. Nine ties now in Wenger's homeland; six wins and three draws but they knew they were pushed here.

It was also a happy return for Olivier Giroud against his former club and the French striker was heavily involved in Arsenal's two first-half goals although he, once again, didn't appear likely to score himself.

Giroud's return to the club he left during the summer - having scored 21 league goals to propel Montpellier to their first ever title. Things have changed. The hosts have suffered a monumental hangover, with three defeats already this season in the league and a bout of recriminations with Giroud's replacement, Emanuel Herrera, dumped to the bench.

Giroud would have feared that is where he would start this contest - alongside the out-of-favour contract rebel Theo Walcott - but Wenger clearly weighed up the benefits of including his pounds 12?million striker who had yet to fire for his new club. Familiarity, it was hoped, would breed content for Giroud.

Still there was, as Wenger predicted, little chance that Montpellier were not going to enjoy this, their first ever excursion into the Champions League, and, to his relief, and with Wenger admitting he is feeling the pressure, Giroud received a hero's reception from the home supporters.

The atmosphere built - and erupted after just 21 seconds when Abou Diaby was cautioned for a reckless challenge on Marco Estrada. But that was as nothing to the wall of noise that cascaded down soon after when Thomas Vermaelen was adjudged to have slid in and fouled Younes Belhanda. A penalty, to Arsenal's consternation - they argued it was a fair challenge and also one outside the area (wrong on both accounts it transpired) - was awarded and Belhanda coolly executed a 'Panenka' kick to chip into the centre of the net as stand-in goalkeeper Vito Mannone dived to his right.

But Arsenal responded. A superb build-up involving Diaby and Santi Carzola led to Giroud slipping a first-time pass to the onrushing Lukas Podolski, who steadied himself inside the area and sidefooted home for his third goal in three games to, momentarily, quell the home support.

Those raucous fans were immediately knocked back further - and this time it went quiet for a while - and again it was through a slick, incisive passing move from Arsenal with Carl Jenkinson released down the right, with Giroud involved once more, to sweep in a low cross that was met by Gervinho, who converted to turn the tie on its head.

It was breathtaking stuff and it took time for Montpellier to steady themselves. When they did, Remy Cabella cut in from the right and drove in a low shot that Mannone tipped smartly away for a corner. The challenges flew in with the home side desperate to work their way back into the encounter; while Arsenal tried to hit them on the break with Gervinho and Podolski bursting forward only to be crowded out.

Ridiculously, however, Diaby attempted to play himself out of trouble inside his own area and was inevitably dispossessed. Cabella had the chance - but wastefully blasted over. But their tails were up. A volley from Anthony Mounier was blocked and then, running in, Garry Bocaly volleyed over before Mounier, again, was picked out with a floated cross-field pass only to stab at the ball.

Montpellier went even closer. This time Cabella checked and, with Mannone caught forward, he chipped the goalkeeper only for the ball to cannon off the cross-bar. It was a let-off and so Arsenal responded with a rapid attack from Diaby leading to goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourden beating out Carzola's fierce effort.

As dominant as they had been in the first-half, Arsenal were now pushed back. Montpellier and responded to their fans and their opponents lapses and sensed a goal which could have tipped this tie back in their favour.

Surely, Belhanda would provide it? The ball was cut back to him, he side-stepped Per Mertesacker's challenge - with the defender going to ground - but then shot straight at Mannone. What a miss. What a let-off.