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Arsenal maintained their perfect start to this season's Champions League with a comfortable 1-0 win at Auxerre on Wednesday night. Gilberto Silva's goal just two minutes into the second half was enough to make it three wins from three for the Gunners. And more importantly it's also six points from six on the road for a team that struggled painfully to win away in Europe in recent seasons. The winner came when Silva latched onto an incisive ball from Sylvain Wiltord inside the penalty area after Kolo Toure had initially caused confusion within the Auxerre ranks with a penetrating run down the left flank. The first half was highly disappointing as Arsenal comfortably dealt with everything Guy Roux's team threw at them. The visitors did go close when Kanu, on target twice against Leeds at the weekend, curled a 20-yarder just over the top. After the break Silva struck quickly to put Arsene Wenger's team in charge, and after that they controlled the game. Auxerre did threaten to take a point nine minutes from time though when Benjani rattled the Arsenal bar with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. One worrying moment for the Gunners came soon after Silva's winner when Thierry Henry went off injured to be replaced by Jermaine Pennant. Teams: Auxerre: Cool, Boumsong, Jaures, Mexes, Radet, Fadiga, Faye, Kapo Obou, Lachuer (Gonzales 73), Tainio (Sirieix 90), Mwaruwaru. Subs Not Used: Hamel, Doumbe, Grichting, Agboh, Vandenbosshe. Booked: Jaures (75) Arsenal: Seaman, Campbell, Cole, Cygan, Lauren, Silva, Toure (Edu 60), Vieira, Henry (Pennant 58), Kanu, Wiltord (Luzhny 83). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Jeffers, Stepanovs, Ljungberg. Goals: Silva 48. Attendance: N/A Referee: Frank De Bleckere. |