Champions League: Arsenal beats Thun 1-0

Bern:

Second-half substitute Robert Pires converted a penalty in the 88th minute to lift Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over FC Thun in the European Champions League, its fifth in as many matches. Arsenal was awarded the penalty after Selver Hodzic fouled Robin van Persie just inside the penalty area. Having already clinched a berth in the next round, Arsenal stayed atop Group B with 15 points, five more than second-place Ajax, which beat Sparta Prague 2-1. Thun is third with three points, two better than last-place Prague. Thun played with only 10 men after the 35th minute when defender Armand Deumi tripped van Persie from behind and was ejected. Mauro Lustrinelli thought he had scored in the 66th minute, but he was adjudged offside. Arsenal striker Thierry Henry missed another chance in 67th minute when he kicked outside the far post when he had Thun goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic beaten. He was replaced by Pires in the 71st. Arsenal defender Sol Cambell was happy with the victory. "I think we did enough. We played good football, got in their half and they had a disallowed goal but I think we did enough to win the game,'' Campbell said. "We won the game and we're top of the group and that is nice because you need that kind of confidence in the Champions League,'' he added. (AP)