Podolski nets dramatic late winnerforGunners

Anderlecht Arsenal 1 2

SUBSTITUTE LUKAS Podolski netted a dramatic late winner as Arsenal came from behind with two goals in the final two minutes to beat Anderlecht 2-1 last night and hand manager Arsene Wenger a 65th birthday to remember at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

It had looked like the Gunners were set for a second away defeat in Champions League Group D after the Belgians went ahead through Andy Najar on 71 minutes.

However, just as time was running out, England fullback Kieran Gibbs cracked in a superb volleyed equaliser, before German forward Podolski swept home a dramatic winner.

Arsenal had started brightly, but Santi Cazorla blasted an early chance horribly wide after good work fromAlexis Sanchez.

Anderlecht had a point to prove having been undone 3-0 at home by the Group D leaders Borussia Dortmund last time out and were dangerous going forwards, led by Cyriac, the former Charlton forward, and the industry of Dennis Praet, who once had a trail at Arsenal as a teenager.

The Gunners had plenty of possession in t he Anderlecht half, but rarely looked like breaking down the home defence during a tepid first half.

Sanchez saw a closerange flick saved after a floated free-kick into the Anderlecht penalty area as Arsenal showed some signs of life, with Aaron Ramsey then shooting just wide.

Arsenal’s clearest opening of the night came on 63 minutes when Cazorla was played clear down the left, but his angled drive was saved by Silvio Proto.

It proved a costly miss as Anderlecht took the lead on 71 minutes when a floated cross from Praet was headed in by Najar.

For mer Por t smouth defender Anthony Vanden Borre had a mis-kicked effort loop on to the top of the crossbar.

Martinez saved from Steven Defour, but Arsenal rallied after Gibbs smashed home a deep cross by rightback Calum Chambers before Podolski won it in the most dramatic of finishes.