Extra man fails to stir Arsenal

SOCCER: Arsenal... 0 Valencia... 0: A sharing of Champions League points at Highbury was proof of parity of esteem between these distinguished clubs. There was only unfettered boisterousness at the very end when Arsenal, belatedly causing mayhem after the sending off of Miguel Angulo with 18 minutes left, seemed certain to win.

One substitute, Kanu, set up another, Sylvain Wiltord, but he scuffed his close-range shot and Carlos Marchena blocked. Despite Arsenal's victory in Italy, Ajax's own win over Roma last night has given Group B an enigmatic air. There are a few puzzles around.

It was as difficult for Arsenal to get a hold of Valencia as it is for them to grasp precisely what sort of season they are having. After four losses in the Premiership and two in the Champions League, their verve has dimmed since the irresistible opening to the campaign, but they remain so demonstrably gifted a team that there is no severe change a manager can sensibly make. Arsene Wenger must tap his fathomless supply of patience.

He will now have to wait for Patrick Vieira to have his full impact on affairs because the fretting over his thigh strain turned out not to be pre-match theatricals. The manager would have preferred not to have his honesty illustrated by the captain trudging off in the 38th minute, with Ray Parlour making his comeback as a replacement.

At the start, with Angulo sending a cross streaming through the goalmouth, it was a self-possessed Valencia who were the likelier to make sparks fly. Vieira was a man at odds with his body, suffering from distraction and mislaying passes. This, too, was one of the hardest of fixtures in which to hide his weakness. Rafael Benitez's team are unrelenting and gifted, with a complete disinclination to abide by the theory that the visiting team must cower in a European tie.

In 2001, during that Champions League contest, Arsenal were disappointed that they could not torment Amedeo Carboni, Valencia's veteran left-back. The Italian is now 37, but he is no more inclined to yield ground and his side, brisk in the challenge, were disruptive enough to stop figures like Thierry Henry from resuming top form.

Dennis Bergkamp - who is having a change of mind about retiring at the end of the season - was the most elusive danger to Valencia before the interval and his cross from the left in the 21st minute eluded Freddie Ljungberg by a fraction. Eleven minutes later, Henry did break through, but Andres Palop, the goalkeeper, closed in on him at the corner of the six-yard box.

The struggles of the Champions League are protracted in nature, though, and there was no cause for haste while Valencia, with John Carew as the sole outright forward, reserved the most handsome of their moves for the midfield zone. Arsenal started the second half with the enhanced vigour of players who had been pacing themselves in this thoughtful game.

In the 51st minute, Ljungberg, with a dashing drag-back and turn shed his markers, but Palop parried the shot.

The level of pressure on Valencia dropped so long as they demonstrated their easy passing style. Holding the ball did become more trying when they were short-staffed. The conduct of Angulo was peculiar in so well-drilled a unit. Chasing the ball across the pitch, he swung a punch into the midriff of Pascal Cygan, who was not even attempting to challenge him. The red card was shown.

After Wiltord's miss, Sol Campbell had to clear an attempt by Carew. By then, that demonstration of Valencia's proud resourcefulness was almost superfluous.

Arsenal: Seaman, Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg (Wiltord 78), Vieira (Parlour 38), Silva, Pires (Kanu 83), Bergkamp, Henry. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Keown, Edu, Luzhny.

Valencia: Palop, Carboni, Ayala, Pellegrino, Curro Torres, Angulo, Baraja (Aurelio 87), Albelda, Vicente (Rufete 68), Aimar (Marchena 79), Carew. Subs Not Used: Rangel, Sanchez, de los Santos, Garrido. Sent Off: Angulo (72). Referee: Kim Nielsen (Denmark).

Previous Results - Nov 27th: AS Roma 1 Arsenal 3; Valencia 1 Ajax 1.

Remaining Fixtures - Feb 18th: Arsenal v Ajax; Roma v Valencia. Feb 26th: Ajax v Arsenal; Valencia v Roma. Mar 11th: Arsenal v Roma; Ajax v Valencia. Mar 19th: Roma v Ajax; Valencia v Arsenal .