All things have to come to an end, and if success becomes a habit, good things seem to last that much longer. Arsenal, the run-away leaders in English Premier League this season, had embarked on a 28-game unbeaten streak till they met their nemesis in FC Sevilla, the Spanish upstart. And like in case of many losers, the ugly monster of failure and frustration loomed larger than the defeat itself.
On Tuesday, in the battle of leadership of Group H in UEFA Champions League at Madrid, Sevilla outclassed Arsenal 3-1, the result a clear indication of their supremacy during the game.
But there was a French connection in the English defeat. Arsene Wenger, the volatile and talismanic manager of Arsenal, first fielded an experimental team that could not defend the Sevilla knockout punch. During the game, Arsene Wenger had repeated run-ins with the Fourth Official, who persistently tried to restrict his movement within his technical area. Then, 10 minutes from end of play, Wenger was involved in a heated war of words with Dutch Referee Eric Braamhaar over alleged time-wasting tactics by Sevilla Captain Daniel Alves. After being expelled, the recalcitrant Arsenal manager did not leave the field and peeped from his dugout, only to witness the last rites of capitulation of his side.
Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez , delighted after this famous victory, said his team really deserved it as they moved into the top spot of Group H.
Although Arsenal took the lead through a clever Eduardo, a Philippe Senderos howler handed back Sevilla the advantage as Seydou Keita scored for 1-1. The frenetic pace of the game was set 10 minutes later when ‘Man of the Match’ Luis Fabiano headed home for Sevilla. (2-1).
Arsenal tried with their limited resources but Sevilla held on gamely and even scored 5 minutes from the end via a deserved penalty by Kanoute.
After the match Arsene Wenger continued his tirade against the Match Officials but was marvelously restrained when asked about his decision to field an under-strength Arsenal in a significant Champions league Match. It only goes to prove that all French men are not the most impeccable gentlemen.

Via-football