Arsenal forced to settle for a point despite Walcott and Giroud goals

Arsenal had to settle for a point in Germany on Tuesday night as they drew 2-2 with Schalke. Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud had struck first half goals but the German side were allowed back into the game and Arsenal will be disappointed that they conceded two goals meaning they stayed second in the group behind yesterday nights opponents. The Gunners had looked like more of a threat going forward which was encouraging as Theo Walcott started for the first time, excluding League Cup games, since the opening day of the season. Meanwhile they still looked a little shaky at the back despite Andre Santos being dropped and Vermaelen pushing out to the left. Arsenal would have settled for a point at the Vetlins Arena before the game, however in these circumstances they wouldn't have. Jack Wilshere started his first European game since his injury as he looked to be ever improving. Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone was also improving having really come into his own this season after some impressive performances so far in which last nights one was up there.

Theo Walcott continued his good form with a goal against Schalke

The first chance of the game fell to Schalke as Afellay raced down the left hand side before firing a shot towards the near post from the left hand side but Mannone kept the shot out.

A few mintues later Schalke had another chance as Howedes met Farfan's corner but the header went over the bar.

However it was the Gunner's who took the lead despite Schalke's bright start. Giroud managed to capitalise on a mistake from Neustadter as the Frenchman ran in on goal only to be tackled at the vital moment. The ball fell straight to Walcott though who dinked the ball past goalkeeper and defender before tapping the ball into an empty net.

Almost 10 minutes after Arsenal's first goal they grabbed another. Podolski did well down the left hand side to turn his man, and then fire in a great ball to Olivier Giroud who with a diving header from six yards out scored his first ever Champions League goal.

Six minutes before the break the German side had their best chance of the game so far as Farfan drove towards the area before smashing the ball wide.

Moments after, Giroud could have had his second of the night. Cazorla curled in a freekick from the right hand side into Giroud but his header was straight at Unnerstall in the Schalke goal.

Arsenal had looked fairly comfortable all night but on the stroke of half time Schalke pulled a goal back. Santi Cazorla lost the ball and it was then picked up by a Schalke player who chipped the ball into Holtby and then into Huntelaar who fired the ball beyond Mannone and into the back of the net.

The score at half time was 2-1 to Arsenal.

Arsenal were the team to have the first chance of the second half as Cazorla fed Podolski down the left who then picked out Giroud at the back post but he smashed his shot into the ground and over the bar.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar then had a great opportunity to grab his and Schalke's second of the night as the ball was clipped into him but Mannone stood big and made a good save to deny the Dutchman when he should have scored.

Schalke then had two corners in quick succession and almost scored both of them. The first found its way out to Hoger but his shot was blocked on the line by Arteta and the next was headed wide by Neustadter.

The hosts were now dominating and Holtby then tested out Mannone as he drove a shot from distance but the Italian goalkeeper was equal to it and parmed the ball away.

Mannone was then tested once more as this time Afellay hit a shot from distance but again it was kept out.

Schalke then finally found themselves an equaliser. The ball was delivered into the box and then flicked on by Holtby into the path of Farfan who drilled a shot goalwards and in off Vermaelen.

With 10 minutes left the group leaders Schalke then tested Arsenal's keeper out again as Jones fired in a shot from outside the box but it was straight at Mannone.

In the dying seconds of the game Theo Walcott was gifted a great chance to win the game as he raced clear of the defence but with players around him, he could only find the goalkeeper.

The final score finished Schalke 2-2 Arsenal. 

The teams lineups:

Schalke: Unnerstall, Uchida((25), Howedes, Matip, Fuchs, Holtby, Jones, Neustadter, Afellay, Farfan, Huntelaar.
Subs: Hildebrand, Papadopoulos(66), Kolasinac, Hoger(25)(66), Moritz, Draxler, Marica.

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla(90), Walcott, Podolski(90), Giroud.
Subs: Shea, Djourou, Jenkinson, Santos(90), Coquelin(90), Arshavin, Chamakh. 

My man of the match: Vito Mannone

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli(ITA)
Attendance: 50,000