Marseille 0 - 1 Arsenal: Adam Ramsey’s injury-time winner takes Arsenal to top of group

Both sides had penalty shouts for handball turned down in a busy first half but the game had slowed to a crawl by the time Ramsey coolly slotted past Steve Mandanda with seconds remaining. Ramsey had started on the bench due to concerns over a hamstring problem but was in the right place to continue his side’s unbeaten run in Europe.

They now lead Marseille seven points to six and, in contrast to their faltering league form, are in control in Europe.

Things started nervily, with just four minutes gone when Alex Song mis-controlled the ball under pressure from Loic Remy, who briefly looked as though he would have a clear run on goal. A foul from Song stopped him in his tracks and the subsequent yellow card was a price worth paying.

Marseille still had a dangerous free-kick to show for the error, but Mathieu Valbuena handed Wojciech Szczesny a simple save.

Arsenal put together a nice move of their own in the 10th minute, Song, Mikel Arteta and Theo Walcott combining to offer Robin van Persie a first sight of goal, though his header wide was rendered irrelevant by an offside flag. Benoit Cheyrou caught Arsenal off guard at a throw-in when he chipped toward goal, but his attempt continued over the crossbar.

Marseille were in the ascendance and had a strong penalty appeal for handball turned down when a cross struck Carl Jenkinson’s arm. The referee rejected the claim and promptly booked Andre Ayew for his reaction.

Arsenal started to hit back and won a corner after a threatening run by Arteta was cut short by Nicolas N’Koulou’s challenge.

Arteta’s delivery from the left looked to have been handled too, this time by Souleymane Diawara, but once again there was no penalty decision.

Instead, the ball found Van Persie and the Dutchman’s looping header would have gone in were it not for Diawara, who was back in position to clear the danger legally.

With 63 minutes gone, the quiet Walcott caught N’Koulou in possession inside the penalty area but could not beat Mandanda at his near post. The England winger, short of inspiration and service, made way for Gervinho soon after.

With moments remaining Djourou whipped a cross in from deep on the right touchline, with Gervinho failing to control it in the centre. Instead, the ball found Ramsey arriving at the far post and his finish was enough to steal an unlikely three points.

Marseille: Mandanda,Azpilicueta,Diawara,N’Koulou,Morel,Diarra, Gonzalez (Amalfitano 73),Cheyrou (Kabore 87),Valbuena, Remy (Gignac 69),Andre Ayew. Subs Not Used: Bracigliano,Traore,Sabo,Roland.

Arsenal: Szczesny,Jenkinson (Djourou 62),Mertesacker,Koscielny, Andre Santos,Song,Arteta,Walcott (Gervinho 67),Rosicky, Arshavin (Ramsey 78),van Persie. Subs Not Used: Fabianski,Chamakh,Benayoun,Coquelin.