Carew the toast of Valencia as Arsenal hit on the double

Valencia 2 Arsenal 1

It was a case of deja vu as the Norwegian striker, who two years ago scored the goal which knocked out the Gunners in the quarter-finals, gave the Spaniards the lead after 33 minutes. Although Thierry Henry put Arsenal level four minutes after the break, Carew headed the winner after 57 minutes to send Valencia through from Group B along with Ajax. Both sides played neat, passing football, but neither of them could create a clear-cut opening in the early stages. Vieira was a booking away from being suspended for the next match, assuming Arsenal progressed, and he was walking a tightrope when he fouled Rufete in the 22nd minute. Fortunately the foul occurred near the halfway line and the referee took no action other than to award the Spaniards a free-kick.

Arsenal were denied the opening goal in the 29th minute by a combination of a goalline clearance and the woodwork.