Arsenal 2-1 Fc Thun

[Shivek]

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Dennis Bergkamp came off the bench to save Arsenal's blushes with a last-ditch winner to secure a 2-1 Champions League victory against Swiss minnows FC Thun after Robin van Persie had been sent off.

However, in reality, the cracks were only papered over after the Gunners made heavy weather of overcoming a team who were playing amateur Swiss third division football in front of crowds of just 100 only nine years ago.

Having already lost to Chelsea and Middlesbrough in their first four league games and with their European form still questioned, the last thing that Arsene Wenger needed was for Van Persie to be harshly dismissed just before half-time.

Indeed, with Thierry Henry already at risk of missing the next two group ties through injury, Van Persie could be suspended for up to three games - two of which are away - and Bergkamp does not fly abroad.

Not even the return of Sol Campbell could enable Arsenal to hold on to a lead given them by Gilberto's header on 51 minutes for any longer than two minutes, with 23-year-old midfielder Nelson Ferreira striking an incredible lob to equalise.

However, just as Arsenal looked to have run out of ideas, Bergkamp seized the moment as he kept alive hopes of winning the one major club trophy to have eluded him before he retires.

Just seconds were left when the veteran Dutchman battled to win back the ball as he tussled with defender Ljubo Milicevic before rising in time to clip his shot past keeper Eldin Jakupovic.

Not that it will prevent further question-marks from being placed over Arsenal's European hopes, even in this supposedly straightforward group, having failed to make it past the quarter-finals under Wenger.

However, it was just the tonic that Arsenal's troubled start to the season required - especially after Van Persie's dismissal for a raised foot even before the interval.

Thun, who had eliminated Dynamo Kiev and Malmo in previous rounds, made their intentions clear from the start, with a 4-5-1 formation that at times resembled 6-3-1.

Then again, teams have learned that the best way to stop Arsenal is to frustrate them, close down the space in midfield and restrict the forward advances of Ashley Cole and Lauren down the flanks.

Arsenal failed to translate their overwhelming domination of possession into clear-cut chances and only looked dangerous when Thun had just extended themselves, with Robert Pires curling one effort just wide, while Van Persie and Kolo Toure both had shots blocked.

Even when Cesc Fabregas picked his spot after a neat lay-off from Van Persie, that spot was unfortunately just wide of the post.

Arsenal also had to be wary at the back, with Toure booked for one desperate tackle as Mauro Lustrinelli threatened to break clear, while Brazilian Adriano - Pimenta Adriano, that is - wasted another opening with a 25-yard shot.

Back came Arsenal, with Reyes's shot slipping through the grasp of Eldin Jakupovic. The keeper dived on the ball just in time and although he then slid over the line, it was only because Freddie Ljungberg bundled him there.

A free-kick was duly awarded, but Arsenal had even greater cause for complaint just before the interval when Van Persie, who appeared to be watching the ball and not his opponent, made contact with Alen Orman's shoulder and then his face.

His foot was dangerously raised but Arsenal argued vehemently that a booking would have sufficed. It was all to no avail.

Orman played on with a bandage around his head and was rather unfairly booed by the crowd in their frustration but, just six minutes after the restart, their mood improved as Gilberto headed Reyes' corner into the far corner.

That was the moment for Arsenal to show their experience - or at least it should have been.

Less than two minutes had elapsed before Toure's weak defensive header was incredibly clipped back over his head by Ferreira and keeper Manuel Almunia was left marooned as the ball looped over his head and dipped under the bar.

Tiago Bernardini ballooned a clear opening over the bar shortly afterwards, and Arsenal continued to live dangerously as they threw players forward with increasing desperation.

Reyes was leading the fight, albeit up front on his own, and ran into a brick wall named Jose Goncalves but no penalty was awarded, while Ljungberg stretched to reach a flick-on just ahead of the keeper, yet clipped his shot wide.

On came Bergkamp, with Fabregas sacrificed, and while Alexander Hleb and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie soon followed with 11 minutes left, it was the veteran Dutchman whose last-gasp strike made the difference - just.

I was very wrong about Bergkamp. But we have to play better to keep winning. Although i'm not happy and satisfied with our performance but its ok.