Champions League: Arsenal charge towards top of Group D

Arsenal 2, Bayer Leverkusen 0 (half-time)

Robert Pires and Thierry Henry blitzed Bayer Leverkusen with two goals in as many minutes to send Arsenal charging towards the top of Group D.

Pires, who scored in the 1-1 draw in Germany last week, grabbed his 10th goal of the season with a fine solo run and shot after just five minutes.

Henry then struck his 28th of the season as he arrived at the far post to finish off a sweeping move involving Dennis Bergkamp and Sylvain Wiltord.

Leverkusen’s dismal defending almost gave the Gunners a third goal after 24 minutes.

Wiltord made another good run down the right and drilled in a low shot which goalkeeper Jorg Butt pushed into the side netting.

Henry took the corner and Stepanovs was unmarked as he met it with a powerful header which Butt did well to push on to his crossbar.

It was hard to believe that Leverkusen lead the Bundesliga the way they were being outplayed by an under-strength Arsenal side.

Henry showed a good burst of pace inside the box after 37 minutes, but his pass to Bergkamp was well cleared by Diego Placente.

The prolific Frenchman followed that up a minute later by beating Lucio on the byline and sending in a low cross which squirmed under Butt’s body.

But no Arsenal player was on hand to tap home the loose ball and the Germans were off the hook.

Half-time scores:

Arsenal 2, Bay Leverkusen 0

Panathinaikos 1, Sparta Prague 0

Porto 1, Real Madrid 2

Dep La Coruna 1, Juventus 0