Montpellier 1-2 Arsenal | Bould’s boys edge game of two halves

Arsenal did enough in the opening 20 minutes of this tense game to drag themselves over the line as they opened their Champions League campaign with a solid three points.
They started with the confidence of an unbeaten team and took the game to the French champions, controlling play before Vermaelen had a rush of blood in the ninth minute and fouled Belhanda just inside the area. The Montpellier striker was chasing a nothing ball towards the touchline and therefore a challenge was unnecessary (Vermaelen later admitted he should’ve shepherded him away from goal) but it was made and well spotted by the officials. Belhanda himself cheekily dispatched the penalty down the middle.
Any worries about Arsenal’s reaction were soon dispel...