An astonishing game of three penalties, of which only one was converted, finally ended 3-1 to Arsenal away to Partizan Belgrade in the Champions League. Arsenal started the game poorly and took the lead against the run of play through Andrey Arshavin.
But Cleo deservedly levelled for the home side before the break from the penalty spot after Denilson needlessly handled.
Just before the hour mark Marko Jovanovic was sent off for a foul on Marouane Chamakh but Arshavin failed with the resulting spot kick.
The Gunners now dominated and finally made their one man advantage count in the 71st minute through Chamakh.
Late on Sebastien Squillaci sealed the win with a header but there was still time for Partizan to be awarded a penalty which Lukasz Fabianski then saved from Cleo.
In fact Fabianski went some way to restoring confidence in the keeper's position at Arsenal with a series of fine saves from a lively Partizan outfit who always looked threatening even when a man down.
Arsenal scorers: Arshavin 15, Chamakh 71, Squillaci 82 Partizan scorers: Cleo (pen) 33
Referee: W Stark (Germany)
Venue: Stadion FK Partizan Attendance: 25,000
PARTIZAN BELGRADE 88 Stojkovic 03 Stevanovic 13 Jovanovic (red card) 18 Lazevski 20 Krstajic 04 Medo 07 Tomic 08 Petrovic (Smiljanic 69) 22 Ilic (yellow card) 09 Cleo 11 Boya (Iliev 83)
Substitutes 12 Zivkovic, 06 Stankovic, 15 Stefan Savic, 27 Kizito, 99 Smiljanic, 19 Bogunovic, 77 Iliev
ARSENAL 21 Fabianski 03 Sagna 18 Squillaci 20 Djourou 28 Gibbs 07 Rosicky 15 Denilson 17 A Song 19 Wilshere (Nasri 74) 23 Arshavin (Clichy 84) 29 Chamakh (Vela 74)
Substitutes 53 Szczesny, 06 Koscielny, 22 Clichy, 27 Eboue, 08 Nasri, 46 Lansbury, 11 Vela
