Arsenal 2-1 Steaua

Arsenal defeated Steaua Bucharest 2-1 at the Emirates, but it was not enough to go top of the Group as Sevilla defeated Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Czech Republic. Arsene Wenger - banned from the touchlines - will be pleased with the return of Robin van Persie who played 68 minutes.

Arsenal went ahead early on as Abou Diaby fired Arsenal ahead. Chances came and went for Arsenal, with Theo Walcott particularly wasteful, before Robin van Persie set up Nicklas Bendtner to slot home their second.

Robin van Persie, back after a two month absence with a knee injury was particularly impressive and Jens Lehmann - also returning - was a relative spectator the whole game.

Openings kept coming for the Arsenal but they were unable to convert them.

Until the 42nd minute when Nicklas Bendtner found the target, the Dane sprinting on to a Van Persie pass and clipping his shot into the bottom corner.

Steaua grabbed a consolation goal late on as Zaharia met Lovin's cross to make it 2-1. The goal was a looping header into Lehmann's corner - the only chance really that threatened the German keeper.

Emmanuel Eboue kept Arsenal in the game as he cleared from a cross which was destined for the striker to put away.

Bendtner, Walcott and Eduardo missed late chances to extend the lead, but the game finished 2-1 and Arsenal finish second in the group.