Arsenal flattered by loss

The only surprise last night was that Arsenal ended with 11 men. Otherwise, it was business as usual for Arsene Wenger's side on their European travels with a sixth successive away defeat.

It would be sensible for the club to forfeit games and save on the travel expenses. Two goals down inside 26 minutes, Arsenal looked far from potential winners of this tournament.

Outplayed in the first half when poor defending and a Richard Wright error allowed Deportivo their goals, their initial improvement after the interval was academic. As ever, they created far too little.

Deportivo, Spain's league leaders, represented the toughest opponents the Gunners have faced in the competition this season. The two victories they achieved over Manchester United in the previous group stage confirmed their talent, and they were unbeaten in seven Champions League fixtures.

The good pre-match news for Arsenal was that Thierry Henry had overcome an ankle injury and been passed fit to play his first game in more than a fortnight.

The Frenchman's goals have been the basis of the club's progress to this phase and his pace invariably offers their most likely threat.

Yet, Henry had barely touched the ball by the time Deportivo went ahead. For Arsene Wenger, who had stressed the psychological importance of making a strong start, this was the worst possible scenario. Deportivo had already caused problems via Sanchez Victor on the left flank when Roy Makaay scored.

Sol Campbell made a good block but his wild attempt at a clearance struck a Deportivo player and broke to Makaay, whose shot reared wickedly off the turf past Richard Wright.

Although Matthew Upson, partnering Campbell in the absence of Martin Keown, had earlier headed across goal from a corner, little was seen of Arsenal as an attacking force.

Henry and Sylvain Wiltord were dropping deep in search of possession as the dominant feature of the game became Deportivo's ability to keep the ball and look to advance in wide areas.

A second home goal followed when Diego Tristan, who scored twice at Old Trafford, added to his tally against Premiership clubs.

Lauren stood off him as he collected the ball on the left and the striker cut in and beat Wright at his near post. The goalkeeper, at fault against Charlton and Tottenham, seemed culpable again.

With Arsenal giving away too much possession and too often offside, this was a depressingly familiar situation.

The sight of Henry being booked for kicking the ball into the stands summed up their frustration.

Wright withdrew at half-time, presumably not through embarrassment, allowing Stuart Taylor his first appearance of the season.

A mix-up at the other end almost allowed Patrick Vieira a goal, Nourredine Naybet blocking. But although Arsenal were far livelier in attack, their final pass meant they were still creating little.

Typically, when Henry broke clear on the right he found no one galloping forward with him for a cross. Vieira did force a good save from Francisco Mollina, but Arsenal were fortunate Walter Pandiani wasted a chance to put an end to their hopes of recovery.

The other Group D match, between Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, was postponed because of heavy fog at the Delle Alpi.

D CORUNA: Molina, Scaloni, Donato, Naybet, Romero, Mauro Silva, Emerson, Victor, Valeron (Djalminha 72), Tristan (Amavisca 29), Makaay (Pandiani 49). Subs Not Used: Nuno, Cesar, Capdevila, Duscher. Booked: Victor. Goals: Makaay 9, Tristan 25.

ARSENAL: Wright (Taylor 45), Lauren, Campbell, Upson, Cole, Ljungberg, Vieira, van Bronckhorst (Edu 78), Pires, Wiltord (Kanu 73), Henry. Subs Not Used: Parlour, Grimandi, Inamoto, Stepanovs. Booked: Henry, Lauren, Upson.

Referee: T Hauge (Norway).