Champions League - Arsenal 2 SS Lazio 0

Arsenal found it easy against SS Lazio with two Freddie Ljungberg goals bringing no reply from the Italian champions.

Little happened in the first half hour as both sides cancelled each other out in a dry technical encounter with windy conditions making control difficult at times.

SS Lazio were not surprised by their Highbury surroundings and the narrow pitch as officials from the Italian champions had measured Arsenal's pitch some weeks ago and mapped out a replica at their La Formello training ground to practice on.

Lazio's players looked well drilled indeed and Arsenal could not get through their defence with Dennis Bergkamp playing behind Kanu and Thierry Henry in an unusual formation.

Arsenal did not settle well into the new pattern but defender Martin Keown hit the first shot in anger on the half hour mark when his effort was well saved by Luca Marchegiani after a cross from Silvinho.

The tempo of both sides was visibly raised as the half drew on.

Sinisa Mihajlovic - playing in a face mask to protect a damaged cheek - curled a free kick just wide in the 33rd minute from a central position and seconds later Marchegiani had to save at Henry's feet.

Arsenal built up the pressure with Henry having a free kick almost turned in for an own goal by Simone Inzaghi as Keown looked to turn in a loose ball.

In the 42nd minute Arsenal seized on a mistake by the imperious Juan Veron who was caught in possession and the home team created the best move of the half.

Kanu crossed from Dennis Bergkamp to cushion a header for Ljungberg to hit a shot on the bounce into the roof of the net.

Lazio responded with a good cross from Dejan Stankovic but Simone Inzaghi mistimed a weak header.

Dennis Bergkamp created Fred Ljungberg's second by carrying the ball a long way in the 58th minute to the penalty area and stabbing the ball through for Ljungberg to clip the ball in from the six yard box.

Bergkamp had made Arsenal's tactical experiment work by creating both goals and Lazio had no replay. They even brought on 34 year old Attilio Lombardo on the hour mark and then substituted him again on a night when the Italian champions damaged their reputation as one of the powers in European football. It is to be debated whether the format of the Champions League means anything on nights like this as both these sides know they will be in the second phase later in the year.