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The red hair may have disappeared but Fredrik Ljungberg's magical touch remains as potent as ever. The dashing Swede made a surprise return from injury against Borussia Dortmund but the shock was most keenly felt by the German champions as he inspired Arsenal to victory at Highbury. Ljungberg, who was Arsenal's late season inspiration to the double, may have taken time to find his feet in his first start since his summer hip operation. However, he came into his own as Arsenal dominated the second half in their opening Champions League group game. Firstly, he made the break which left Dennis Bergkamp with the space to put Arsenal ahead on 62 minutes and then he rounded off victory with a stirring finish of his own 12 minutes from time. Arsene Wenger may already be anticipating a sprint finish to the competition, having confidently declared - with no ifs, buts or even maybes - that his team will win the Champions League this season. However, while pride can often come before a fall, this time it heralded a steady surge out of the European blocks by the notoriously slow-starting Gunners. Wenger's decision to recall Ljungberg ahead of schedule was the clearest possible sign of the importance which he attached to his team making a strong start in the competition. For the previous four years, Arsenal had begun the first group stage away from home and registered just one victory, although they have also drawn twice. Last season, their defeat at Real Mallorca dented their confidence and they suffered thereafter on their travels in Europe. This time around, they started positively enough although it did take them time to impose themselves against the resolute German champions. Then again, as Dortmund started to grow in stature and launch cautious attacks of their own, that just about suited the home side, who are ruthless on the break. It was from a typically pacy counter-attack that Thierry Henry's snap shot was saved by Jens Lehmann's fingertips. And it was from a similar route that they threatened again, with Ljungberg starting a flowing move that culminated in Henry checking his run to slip the ball sideways to Sylvain Wiltord. The goal seemed to beckon for a striker in top form, but this time his first touch allowed keeper Lehmann time to smother the ball before he could lift it over him. Arsenal still had to beware as only a last-ditch interception by Oleg Luzhny saved the day at the other end, while Juan Ramon Fernandez's blistering shot just swerved over the bar. However, even though Henry had one `goal' ruled out for offside, while he fired a free-kick over the bar after a surging run by Ljungberg, Arsenal's pressure was building all the time after the break. It eventually proved irresistible as Wiltord sped across the edge of thepenalty area looking for an opening ahead of him before clipping the ball to Bergkamp. The Dutchman was well marked but Ljungberg's break took the defenders' eyes off Bergkamp for a crucial split second and he made full use of the opportunity with a shot that deflected into the net off Christophe Metzelder. Ljungberg next made a dashing break himself and while Henry had peeled off into space inside the penalty area, the Swede went alone and fired a shot just inches wide of the far post. It was merely a foretaste of what was to come. For after Henry had missed an absolute sitter from just eight yards out, he turned provider for Ljungberg to seal victory. The tireless Wiltord was again involved in the build-up, setting up Henry, who chose to find Ljungberg as he dashed through the centre and, having side-stepped the keeper, he side-footed home. The Swede eventually departed before the final whistle to a standing ovation but the conclusion was clear enough. Ljungberg is back with a vengeance and an Arsenal side that have already surged to the top of the Premiership table have just got even stronger. As for the Champions League, there may be a perilously long route ahead of them, but Europe now also beckons more invitingly than ever before. Teams: Arsenal : Seaman, Luzhny (Lauren 73), Keown, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg (Cygan 84), Vieira, Silva, Wiltord (Toure 89), Henry, Bergkamp. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Jeffers, Pennant, Kanu. Goals: Bergkamp 62, Ljungberg 77. Borussia Dortmund : Lehmann, Evanilson, Kehl, Heinrich, Fernandez (Herrlich 72), Madouni, Metzelder, Dede, Frings, Kohler, Ewerthon (Reina 72). Subs Not Used: Weidenfeller, Reuter, Oliseh, Odonkor, De Deus Santos. Booked: Dede. Attendance : 34,907 Referee : Anders Frisk (Sweden). |