Arsenal have taken a 2-1 half-time lead against Schalke in Gelsenkirchen in their Champions League Group B clash.

© PA Photos

The German hosts made the brighter start of the two sides, with Ibrahim Afellay forcing Vito Mannone into making a good save after eight minutes.

Three minutes later Benedikt Howedes headed a corner just over the Arsenal crossbar.

Thereafter, the Gunners took control of proceedings at the Veltins Arena and went ahead in the 18th minute.

Roman Neustadter's back-header went awry and the ball went to Olivier Giroud before ending up at the feet of Theo Walcott, who slotted home with ease.

Walcott almost scored his second goal of the evening just two minutes later, but Lukas Podolski's cross from the left proved to be too high for him.

It did become 2-0 to Arsenal and the second goal came in the 26th minute, Giroud heading home Podolski's cross past Lars Unnerstall.

Schalke could have halved the deficit six minutes from the half-time interval had Jefferson Farfan been able to his shot on target.

The Royal Blues did pull one back, as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar latched on to Lewis Holtby's through ball before shooting home from close range in injury time.