Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Champions League Group B clash between Montpellier HSC and Arsenal.
Montpellier, who won the French title last season, have lost three of their first five games in Ligue 1 this season. Tonight marks their first ever encounter in the Champions League.
Arsenal have enjoyed a strong start to their domestic season, securing eight points from four games to sit third in the table. They also boast Montpellier's top goalscorer from last season – Olivier Giroud – in their ranks.
This evening's clash will pit the two teams together for their first time. Arsenal enter the match having never lost an away game in France, but they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 Champions League matches on the road.
Please note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
9.40pmThat's just about me for this evening. Our full report of the match can be found here. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more Champions League football tomorrow! Good night!
9.38pmSo there we have it. Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign with a win courtesy of two goals in two first-half minutes. Montpellier dominated the second period, but just could not find an equaliser as their poor early season form continues.
FULL-TIMEMontpellier 1-2 Arsenal
90 min+2Arsenal look like coming away with the three points as another attack from the home side breaks down. How have they not levelled in the second period?
90 minWe will play three additional minutes - and Montpellier still attack.
89 minMeanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo may well have just won it for Real Madrid against Manchester City. They lead 3-2 with moments remaining.
89 minAnother attack from Montpellier breaks down as Bedimo's cross is collected by Mannone. Meanwhile, double change for Arsenal with Theo Walcott and Francis Coquelin replacing Cazorla and Podolski.
87 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Belhanda plays a searching cross into the box, but Mertesacker heads it clear - as he has done so often.
85 minArsenal are enjoying a rare spell of possession as we approach the latter stages. But still Montpellier attack with intent.
83 minArsenal have looked ever so leggy in the second period. In truth, if they win, they will have got away with one here. But there are still round about 10 minutes to play.
81 minChance! Wonderful chance for the home side as Belhanda strikes from inside the box, but it is straight at Mannone. They have had chances.
80 minReally hasn't been much of a second period to be honest. Montpellier have pushed forward, but Arsenal are not interested in attacking. But why should they be at 2-1?
80 minDouble change for the home side as Estrada and Camara are replaced by Herrera and Stambouli.
78 minMeanwhile, Real Madrid have just equalised against Manchester City courtesy of Marcelo. Still around 15 minutes left in that one.
76 minMeanwhile, change for Arsenal as Ramsey replaces the out-of-form Giroud. Just about 15 minutes remaining in France.
76 minAnother centre-back who has been really good tonight - Mertesacker. He has won every header thus far. Montpellier remain a threat in advanced areas, but they cannot force an equaliser.
74 minYanga-Mbiwa has been immense for the home side tonight. It is easy to see why so many clubs are after him. However, his team still trail.
72 minAnother sighter from the home side as Ait-Fana strikes from outside the box, but Mannone collects the danger. Nothing from Arsenal attacking-wise at the moment.
70 minStill the home side search for the equaliser in wide positions, but Arsenal look so compact at the moment.
70 minMeanwhile, Manchester City have just taken the lead against Real Madrid with a strike from Eden Dzeko. Wow.
68 minFinally the change is made as Mounier is replaced by Ait-Fana. Can he inspire his team to a goal this evening?
67 minPenalty shout for the home side as Cabella is felled in the box by Diaby, but the referee waves play on. Meanwhile, Karim Ait-Fana waits on the sidelines to come on.
66 minNothing much to shout about for either team at the moment with a host of attacks from each side breaking down. A bit like a practice match at the moment.
64 minIt just isn't quite happening for the home side at the moment as they prepare to make a change. There are more goals in this game.
62 minArsenal have just taken the pressure off in the past few minutes with a spell of possession. Can the French side come again?
60 minIt remains attack after attack for the home side with Cabella and Belhanda both involved. However, Arsenal continue to hold the lead with 30 minutes remaining.
58 minChance! Opportunity for Arsenal as Diaby finds Cazorla in the box, but Jourdren beats the ball to safety. Better from the Gunners.
57 minI am not entirely sure whether Arsenal have touched the ball in the second period. The crowd are up for this now.
55 minChance! Montpellier strike the crossbar as Cabella dinks one from outside the box. So unlucky!
55 minChance! Another opportunity for the home side as Belhanda finds Mounier, but again it's wasted. Arsenal cannot get out.
55 minAnother chance comes and goes for Montpellier as Bocaly strikes a half-volley from outside the box, but it drifts wide. They are a real threat at the moment.
53 minArsenal just have not started in this second period. It's all Montpellier with 53 minutes on the clock. But they need a goal.
51 minMontpellier continue the pressure in the early stages as Yanga-Mbiwa wins a corner from Jenkinson, but Giroud heads clear.
49 minAnother sighter for Montpellier as Belhanda searches out Camara, but this time Diaby does clear the danger. Really bright from the French side.
48 minDecent tempo to the early stages of the match with Montpellier on the attack. Chance! Big chance for the home side as Diaby loses the ball inside the box, but Cabella's shot is high and wide.
46 minArsenal kick us off in the second half. The Gunners will be feeling pretty good about themselves at the moment. No changes for either side.
8.47pmHere we go then. Both sides are out on the pitch ahead of the second period. Can Montpellier respond?
8.46pmLooking around the rest of Europe. Real Madrid and Manchester City are tied at 0-0 at the break. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain lead Dynamo Kiev 3-0.
8.41pmMontpellier's gameplan is clear, get the ball out wide. They clearly like to cross the ball, hence Mertesacker's involvement for Arsenal. Meanwhile, the Gunners are playing their normal possession game through the midfield.
8.38pmFor Montpellier, it just hasn't happened in the opening period. Belhanda is undoubtedly their danger man, but they have not found him enough.
8.35pmIt was a worrying start for the Gunners after they conceded so early. However, Arsene Wenger will be ever so pleased with their response. They look to have gained control in midfield, while Podolski is a threat in attack.
8.32pmSo there we have it. Arsenal lead 2-1 at the interval courtesy of strikes from Podolski and Gervinho. It was the French side who opened the scoring from the spot through Belhanda early on, but two goals in two minutes turned the match on its head.
HALF-TIMEMontpellier 1-2 Arsenal
45 minChance! First real chance for Giroud as Gervinho finds the striker in the box, but he just clips it over. Meanwhile, we will play one minute of added time.
44 minHalf-chance for Arsenal as Diaby searches out the run of Gervinho, but Jourdren is on hand to collect possession. We are not expecting a great deal of added time at the end of the half.
42 minAgain it's smart play from the home side as Camara finds Estrada in the box, but once more he is crowded out at the vital moment.
40 minIt's really bright play from Arsenal as they sweep through the Montpellier defence, but it breaks down. The French club respond with an attack of their own, but Mannone gathers possession.
38 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Estrada searches out Camara in the box, but Mannone gathers the danger. Little over five minutes until the break.
36 minNot a great deal happening at the moment truth be told with both sides guilty of losing possession in midfield. Much more of a settled affair now.
34 minChance! So nearly 2-2 as Estrada strikes an effort from outside the box, but Mannone gets down well to clear the danger.
33 minGiroud watch: Nothing much for the Arsenal striker to feed on thus far. However, his size is causing the French club problems.
31 minThe home side have not played a great deal of football in the middle of the mark as they hit the wings at every opportunity. However, the final ball has just been lacking in the opening 30 minutes.
29 minThree seasons ago Montpellier were playing in the second tier of French football. That's some rise in the past three years. Meanwhile, Arsenal are controlling the football at the moment.
27 minReally bright play from Mounier as he advances down the Arsenal right, but the danger is cleared for a corne - which Giroud heads clear.
25 minArsenal certainly look the better side when in possession of the football. But you can see that Montpellier want to play on the counter attack. Two styles which are making for an open game.
23 minAnother sighter for the home side as Belhanda collects possession in the box, but Mertesacker stands tall to block the danger. Belhanda is a real threat for the French side.
21 minIt's all Montpellier at the moment as they pass and probe in the Arsenal half, but their final ball is just not quite there at the moment. Really watchable tie.
19 minPhew! Time to take a breath. Who predicted this start? What an incredible opening 20 minutes. Montpellier try to respond immediately with Estrade, but Diaby is there to collect the danger.
18 minOh my word! Arsenal level as Jenkinson finds Gervinho in the box and the Frenchman makes no mistake from close range.
18 minGOAL! Montpellier 1-2 Arsenal (Gervinho)
17 minPerfect response from Arsenal. My prediction for this evening was 1-1. However, I did not think it would be that score after 17 minutes!
16 minArsenal level as Giroud finds Podolski in the box - and the German slots home from close range.
16 minGOAL! Montpellier 1-1 Arsenal (Podolski)
15 minHalf-chance for the home side as Cabella strikes from outside the box, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. The French side look a decent outfit in the early stages.
13 minSuddenly it's Montpellier who look in control of the match as they stroke possession around in midfield. Arsenal just need to settle themselves down here.
12 minDecent response from Arsenal as they flood forward with Cazorla. However, his searching ball for Giroud is just cut out. How will the away side respond to that blow?
10 minWhat was I saying about no invention from the home side? I don't think the referee gave it. It was the linesman or the extra official behind the goal.
9 minHow's your bottle? Belhanda chips it straight down the middle. That was fantastic.
9 minGOAL! Montpellier 1-0 Arsenal (Belhanda)
8 minOh my word? The home side are awarded a penalty as Vermaelen fells Belhanda.
8 minPENALTY TO MONTPELLIER
8 minIt;s sloppy play from the home side as Camara picks up possession down the Arsenal right, but his ball for Cabella is just too short. No real invention from Montpellier at the moment.
6 minAgain it's bright work from Gibbs as he charges down the left, but his cross is cut out by Hilton. Meanwhile, the resulting corner is also cleared.
6 minNo real chances for either side in the early stages of this one. However, Arsenal are just beginning to play their football in the Montpellier half.
4 min... indeed he does. However, his effort smashes straight into the wall. That was not great.
4 minArsenal win a free kick right on the edge of the Montpellier box as Gibbs is felled by Saihi. It appears that Cazorla will take...
2 minBright start from the home side as Camara dances into the Arsenal box, but the flag was just raised. Decent tempo in the early stages.
1 minFirst booking of the match is handed out after 20 seconds as Diaby fells Estrada. Wow. The referee is not hanging around.
1 minHere we go. Montpellier kick us off on this mild evening in France. The Champions League is underway.
7.44pmJust a reminder that there is no John Utaka for Montpellier this evening, but Olivier Giroud does start for Arsenal.
7.43pmAh, the Champions League anthem. What a beautiful sound. We are just moments away from kickoff. Let's hope that it is a cracker.
7.41pmHere we go. First Champions League game ever for the home side. Both sets of players are just emerging from the tunnel.
7.38pmRight, we are expecting the teams to emerge from the tunnel any moment now. This is the Champions League folks. What a wonderful atmosphere.
7.35pmWhat time is it now? Yep, prediction time! I have done alright recently. I'm going for a tight 1-1 this evening. I just don't see Arsenal picking up all three points.
7.32pmTaking a quick look at the subs bench for each team. The likes of Andre Santos, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey take their seats for Arsenal. Meanwhile, Herrera - who was expected to start - sits on the Montpellier bench with Benjamin Stambouli.
7.29pmWhat about the competition as a whole - who are the favourites? You would have to look at the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. But there are just so many good teams this year. Anyone for Bayern Munich or Juventus?
7.26pmWhat about Theo Walcott? He was once branded by Barcelona as the most dangerous opponent in the world. But his contract situation means that he is simply not starting at the moment. Arsenal fans - views please?
7.23pmRay Wilkins and Glen Hoddle are singing Arsenal's praises in the Sky Sports studio. Bit early isn't it lads? Pick up three points this evening and then we will talk.
7.20pmWe are just around 20 minutes from kickoff this evening on matchday one in the Champions League. There's just something about this tournament that gets the pulse racing.
7.17pmYou also get the feeling that Gervinho needs to have a big game for Arsenal tonight. He impressed against Southampton, but in truth, he has been poor since joining last summer.
7.14pmMontpellier hardly had the best build-up to tonight's match after losing 3-1 to Reims at the weekend. Meanwhile, Arsenal thumped Southampton 6-1. But you do worry about them away from home.
7.11pmOlivier Giroud vs. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. You just get the feeling that Giroud will have an influence on tonight's match, but he comes up against one of the best young defenders in world football. The Montpellier skipper is strong, quick and a real force in the air. For me, it?s THE key battle tonight.
7.08pmBack to our action. Younes Belhanda will clash with Santi Cazorla this evening. The Moroccan has a really nice turn of pace and dangerous feet and will be considered as the home side's most dangerous player. Meanwhile, Arsenal's very own creative force has enjoyed a fine start to the season. Each side will look to their man to influence proceedings.
7.05pmAs I mentioned earlier. Real Madrid are taking on Manchester City this evening. You can follow live commentary of that with my good friend Liam Apicella here. Some interesting team news with Michael Essien among the starters for Madrid.
7.03pmLet's take a look at some of the key clashes this evening. First up is Emmanuel Herrera vs. Thomas Vermaelen. The Montpellier striker has scored twice for the French club this season, but comes up against one of the finest defenders in the Premier League this evening. The outcome of that battle could have a huge say on the overall result.
7pmArsenal have managed just two wins in their last 12 away games in Europe, however, losing eight of those. But there is renewed optimism that the Gunners can make an impact this season. You would expect them to make it through Group B.
6.57pmIn truth, the European experience of Montpellier and Arsenal is incomparable. The French club are embarking on their first season in the Champions League, while the Gunners are entering the group stages for the 15th time in a row. That's some record.
6.54pmSo there we have it. No real surprises for the home side with all their big guns taking part. Meanwhile, there is no place in the Arsenal XI for Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
6.52pmTeams:
Montpellier: Jourdren; Bocaly, Yanga-Mbiwa, Hilton, Bedimo; Saihi, Estrada; Mounier, Belhanda, Cabella, Camara
Arsenal: Mannone; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Diaby, Gervinho, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud
6.50pmBREAKING: Olivier Giroud starts against his former club. Meanwhile, Abou Diaby also comes into the Arsenal midfield.
6.50pmHello all! Matchday one of the Champions League is upon us and what a way to start. Just a reminder that there are eight matches in total this evening, with the small matter of Real Madrid vs. Manchester City also taking place.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
