Arsenal's limitations were exposed by an impressive Schalke 04 as they slumped to Champions League defeat at Emirates Stadium.

The Bundesliga side took control of Group B as goals in the final 15 minutes from Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay gave the Germans a victory their superiority fully deserved.

With Arsene Wenger in the directors' box serving the final game of a three-match touchline ban and assistant Steve Bould in charge on the touchline, Arsenal never made any serious impression on a night of sheer frustration.

Arsenal stumble

Arsenal had not lost a Champions League group game at home since going down 3-0 to Inter in September 2003

And once Schalke worked out Brazilian left-back Andre Santos was the glaring weak link in the Arsenal line-up, they probed ruthlessly and to great effect to end the Gunners' 100% record in the competition.

Arsenal will still feel confident of qualification for the knockout phase after victories over Montpellier and Olympiakos - but Schalke are now in pole position to take top spot in the group and potentially earn an easier draw in the last 16.

It was a tough night for Arsenal and Wenger as Schalke showed a potency in attack that was way beyond anything the hosts could offer, a fact reflected in the loud jeers that rang around the ground at the final whistle.

Gervinho was entrusted with the attacking responsibilities with Olivier Giroud left on the bench, but he struggled throughout and was eventually put out of his misery with a substitution.

Arsenal lack confidence - Bould

Arsenal survived a scare after 20 minutes when Afellay, on loan from Barcelona, went down in the area under a challenge from goalkeeper Vito Mannone after a slight hesitation from Carl Jenkinson - but referee Jonas Eriksson ruled that the winger had dived and he was punished with a yellow card.

Opportunities were at a premium and when Gervinho did break away he was isolated and crowded out by Schalke defenders as he attempted to work his way into the box.

Schalke were targeting the wayward positioning of Santos but were running into a formidable barrier in the shape of Germany defender Per Mertesacker, whose performance was exemplified by a brave block from a Jefferson Farfan shot.

Santos was nowhere to be seen as Atsuto Uchida broke into the area and Arsenal were fortunate the normally lethal Huntelaar was wayward with his finish at the near post.

And in another break into the same left-flank territory just after the break, Benedikt Howedes should have done better than fire over the top from Farfan's cross.

Gunners' empty barrels

22: Arsenal have hit fewer shots than any other team in this season's Champions League

Gervinho was feeling the frustration of Arsenal's fans but he almost created the opener with a direct run and cross - but no colleagues were waiting to apply the final touch as the ball flashed across goal.

There was to be no further opportunity for Gervinho to redeem himself as he was replaced by Giroud in an attempt to inject impetus into the hosts' attack.

Schalke had been the more threatening team throughout and it was no surprise when they took the lead with 14 minutes left. Santos was once again culpable, playing Huntelaar on side as he chased Afellay and this time the Netherlands striker made no mistake.

Afellay completed the job with four minutes left, converting the simplest of chances after Farfan had once again embarrassed the labouring Santos.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Arsenal

  • 24 Mannone
  • 04 Mertesacker
  • 05 Vermaelen Booked
  • 11 Santos
  • 25 Jenkinson (Gnabry - 82' )
  • 08 Arteta Booked
  • 16 Ramsey Booked
  • 19 Cazorla
  • 22 Coquelin
  • 09 Podolski (Arshavin - 82' )
  • 27 Gervinho Booked (Giroud - 75' )

Substitutes

  • 60 Shea
  • 06 Koscielny
  • 20 Djourou
  • 23 Arshavin
  • 47 Gnabry
  • 12 Giroud
  • 29 Chamakh

Schalke 04

  • 36 Lars Unnerstall
  • 04 Howedes
  • 22 Uchida
  • 23 Fuchs
  • 32 Matip
  • 10 Holtby (Barnetta - 65' )
  • 11 Afellay Booked
  • 12 Hoger Booked (Jones - 46' )
  • 33 Roman Neustadter
  • 17 Farfan
  • 25 Huntelaar (Marica - 87' )

Substitutes

  • 34 Hildebrand
  • 35 Kolasinac
  • 13 Jones
  • 27 Barnetta
  • 28 Moritz
  • 31 Draxler
  • 08 Marica
Ref: Eriksson
Att: 60,049

Match Stats

Shots

4 7

On target

3 4

Corners

2 3

Fouls

12 13

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:31 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +3:05

Effort from deep inside the area by Santi Cazorla misses to the left of the goal.

90:00 +2:49

Serge Gnabry takes a shot. Save by Lars Unnerstall.

89:16

Corner taken right-footed by Serge Gnabry, Jermaine Jones manages to make a clearance.

88:55

Benedikt Howedes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrey Arshavin. Aaron Ramsey restarts play with the free kick.

86:59 Substitution

Substitution (Schalke 04) makes a substitution, with Ciprian Marica coming on for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

85:04

Assist on the goal came from Jefferson Farfan.

85:04 Goal scored

Goal - Ibrahim Afellay - Arsenal 0 - 2 Schalke 04 A goal is scored by Ibrahim Afellay from close in low into the middle of the goal. Arsenal 0-2 Schalke 04.

83:13

Unfair challenge on Francis Coquelin by Ibrahim Afellay results in a free kick. Vito Mannone takes the direct free kick.

81:46 Substitution

Substitution Carl Jenkinson leaves the field to be replaced by Serge Gnabry.

81:46 Substitution

Substitution (Arsenal) makes a substitution, with Andrey Arshavin coming on for Lukas Podolski.

77:58

Foul by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on Santi Cazorla, free kick awarded. Aaron Ramsey takes the direct free kick.

77:10

Foul by Carl Jenkinson on Ibrahim Afellay, free kick awarded. Christian Fuchs takes the direct free kick.

75:38

Assist by Ibrahim Afellay.

75:38 Goal scored

Goal - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Arsenal 0 - 1 Schalke 04 A goal is scored by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Arsenal 0-1 Schalke 04.

74:38 Substitution

Substitution Olivier Giroud on for Yao Gervinho.

70:38 Booking

Booking Yao Gervinho is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

69:21

Free kick crossed left-footed by Christian Fuchs.

69:21 Booking

Booking Aaron Ramsey goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

69:14

Aaron Ramsey gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ibrahim Afellay.

66:00

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Atsuto Uchida by Clarindo Andre Santos. Lars Unnerstall takes the direct free kick.

65:06

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aaron Ramsey by Tranquillo Barnetta. Aaron Ramsey takes the free kick.

64:11 Substitution

Substitution Tranquillo Barnetta replaces Lewis Holtby.

62:02

Francis Coquelin fouled by Roman Neustadter, the ref awards a free kick. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.

61:02

Atsuto Uchida gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lukas Podolski. Santi Cazorla takes the direct free kick.

60:26

Atsuto Uchida challenges Lukas Podolski unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Clarindo Andre Santos.

57:01

Foul by Mikel Arteta on Jermaine Jones, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jermaine Jones.

56:08

Corner taken by Christian Fuchs, Benedikt Howedes produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

55:56

Christian Fuchs takes a shot. Per Mertesacker gets a block in.

54:32

Unfair challenge on Atsuto Uchida by Clarindo Andre Santos results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Lars Unnerstall.

50:38

The referee blows for offside against Jefferson Farfan. Free kick taken by Vito Mannone.

49:22

Benedikt Howedes produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

48:37

Christian Fuchs takes the outswinging corner, Per Mertesacker manages to make a clearance.

47:01

Free kick taken by Roman Neustadter.

47:01 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Mikel Arteta for unsporting behaviour.

46:54

Mikel Arteta gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ibrahim Afellay.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Marco Hoger goes off and Jermaine Jones comes on.

45:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Clarindo Andre Santos by Atsuto Uchida. Clarindo Andre Santos takes the free kick.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Jermaine Jones replaces Marco Hoger.

45:00 +0:08 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

44:16

The assistant referee signals for offside against Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Indirect free kick taken by Vito Mannone.

43:13

The assistant referee flags for offside against Yao Gervinho. Benedikt Howedes restarts play with the free kick.

42:23

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar produces a right-footed shot from close range which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

38:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Atsuto Uchida by Clarindo Andre Santos. Free kick taken by Lars Unnerstall.

38:55 Booking

Booking Marco Hoger receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

36:45

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.

35:21

The referee blows for offside. Vito Mannone takes the indirect free kick.

30:56

Jefferson Farfan takes a shot. Blocked by Per Mertesacker.

30:38

Unfair challenge on Jefferson Farfan by Clarindo Andre Santos results in a free kick. Marco Hoger takes the direct free kick.

28:17

The referee penalises Jefferson Farfan for handball. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.

26:35

Short corner worked by Santi Cazorla.

26:22

Santi Cazorla takes a shot. Joel Matip gets a block in.

25:03

Foul by Francis Coquelin on Marco Hoger, free kick awarded. Atsuto Uchida restarts play with the free kick.

24:48

Thomas Vermaelen takes a shot. Benedikt Howedes gets a block in.

20:39

Foul by Marco Hoger on Yao Gervinho, free kick awarded. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.

15:03

The free kick is swung in right-footed by Jefferson Farfan.

15:03 Booking

Booking Thomas Vermaelen is cautioned.

14:42

Jefferson Farfan fouled by Thomas Vermaelen, the ref awards a free kick.

19:23

Clarindo Andre Santos challenges Ibrahim Afellay unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lewis Holtby delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Lukas Podolski makes a clearance.

18:16

Jefferson Farfan takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Aaron Ramsey.

16:42

Atsuto Uchida is ruled offside. Vito Mannone takes the indirect free kick.

15:03

The free kick is delivered right-footed by Jefferson Farfan from right channel.

15:03 Booking

Booking Caution for Clarindo Andre Santos.

14:42

Clarindo Andre Santos gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jefferson Farfan.

13:51 Booking

Booking Ibrahim Afellay goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

13:49

Vito Mannone fouled by Ibrahim Afellay, the ref awards a free kick. Vito Mannone takes the direct free kick.

11:37

Unfair challenge on Benedikt Howedes by Clarindo Andre Santos results in a free kick. Lars Unnerstall takes the free kick.

9:47

Lukas Podolski fouled by Marco Hoger, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.

6:11

Free kick awarded for a foul by Roman Neustadter on Santi Cazorla. Mikel Arteta takes the free kick.

4:26

Foul by Marco Hoger on Lukas Podolski, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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