Arsenal 0-0 Marseille: Daily Mirror match report

Arsene Wenger left his Robin Reliant in the garage - but even his late arrival could not inspire victory.

Wenger took a major gamble on leaving Robin van Persie on the bench because Arsenal have become so dependent on the Dutch striker.

But Wenger has normally been able to bring on van Persie as a supersub and for him to still save the day. Yet even van Persie's tired legs could not salvage a late victory.

Van Persie finally came on after 62 minutes and still had the most clear cut chance of the game - and this time could not take it.

Instead, van Persie went through, the stadium held its breath and then saw his 78th minute chip comfortably saved by Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda.

Sadly, Arsenal have become so reliant on Robin that everyone almost assumes that van Persie will dig out a result from somewhere.

Last night, even van Persie could not manage it and that's become the problem. When van Persie does not produce then Arsenal do not win.

Van Persie has become their saviour of late, his hat trick at Chelsea on Saturday making it 28 goals in 27 Premier League appearances.

He wrote in his programme notes that the Chelsea result would make the world sit up and take notice. But this would have made them fall asleep.

It was a dull, frustrating stalemate with the most positive thing about it being a clean sheet for Wenger after conceding three in their eight-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

But how on earth the game finished goalless is anybody's guess when you have a full back like Brazilian Andre Santos.

Santos is at least entertaining with his constant forward runs. But he just completely abandons his defensive duties and that allowed Marseille to give Arsenal plenty of nervy moments.

Wenger admitted that it has been torturous to watch his team at times because of the defending and it is Santos who is almost single-handedly inflicting the pain on his manager.

Santos was, put simply, a threat at both ends. He went missing early on and Andre Ayew was afforded time and space at the back post but stabbed wide from close range.

Then Santos's 12th minute cross was handled by Marseille defender Souleymane Diawara. Italian referee Paolo Tagliavento gave a free kick on the edge of the box but TV replays suggested it was just inside.

Santos also provided a cross for one of two good shooting chances for Aaron Ramsey but the Welsh midfielder could not take either. One blasted over at the back post, another blocked.

Ramsey was the pick of Arsenal's players because of his incredible and tireless work rate and even he ran out of gas in the second half and had to be substituted.

Marseille looked increasingly dangerous but did not really force Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny into a decent save.

That was down to the central defensive partnership of Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker looking rock solid while Carl Jenkinson impressed at right back.

Arsenal were reduced to rather hopeful punts forward and Mikel Arteta's free kick was flicked on by Mertesacker and then headed over by Vermaelen.

But finally, the Emirates came to life. Not because of a goal but because of van Persie's introduction for the hapless Park Chu-Young.

The South Korean forward looked out of his depth and off the pace last night and when van Persie came on his introduction brought the house down.

It is almost as if van Persie's amazing form makes them believe he will score every time and the Dutchman admitted as much himself.

Van Persie, despite Wenger insisting afterwards he was tired and in need of a rest, immediately livened things up.

Then came the chance. Tomas Rosicky, on for Ramsey in the 66th minute, provided a wonderful through ball to release van Persie.

The ball was running away from goal but van Persie latched onto it and hit a first time chip shot with his favourite left foot.

The stadium held its breath but, on this rare occasion, van Persie's effort was comfortably saved by Marseille keeper Mandanda.

Arsenal are still in pole position in Group F, they are in good form but the worry is that without van Persie they look as if they will run out of gas.

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