Arsenal suffer Charlton hangover

Johansson: Headed home Graham Stuart's cross

Charlton 1-0 Arsenal

Jonatan Johansson's first-half header helped Charlton to a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at The Valley.

The free scoring Finn notched his 13th goal of the season as Charlton recorded their first win over the Gunners in 44 years.

It was a harsh lesson for Arsene Wenger's side.

Not only did they miss a penalty, they also dominated the game for long spells, but were punished by the slick counter attacking football on show from Alan Curbishley's side.

  Highlights

25 mins Parlour booked for challenge on Parker

39 mins Johansson heads home Stuart's cross

50 mins Bartlett denied by Manninger

75 mins Kiely saves Vivas penalty

And if Arsenal once again falter in their pursuit of Manchester United's Premiership crown, they will doubtless look back with regret at their lean return of points during the festive period.

The Gunners commenced battle without the injury ravaged Tony Adams and top scorer Thierry Henry, allowing Ray Parlour a run out and offering Nelson Vivas a rare Premiership start.

Pires was the designated penalty-taker before the game but he had been taken off - Vivas takes them very well in training, but the keeper made a great save here

  Arsene Wenger
Arsenal manager

Kanu, whose silky skills galvanized a scrappy opening half hour, conjured up the first real piece of goalmouth action, pulling his shot wide with five minutes played.

The Nigerian then earned a free kick on the edge of the area, allowing Silvinho a sight at goal but the Brazilian full back saw his rasping drive flash inches wide of the Charlton upright.

Majestic

The visitors were becoming increasingly frustrated at their own failure to turn their possession into goals, with Fredrik Ljungberg and Robert Pires both failing to convert good opportunities.

Freddie Ljungberg tries his luck

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger must have been tearing his hair out when Charlton took a shock lead through Johansson six minutes before the break.

Graham Stuart juggled the ball down the left before sending a pinpoint cross towards the Finnish international who rose majestically to steer the ball beyond Alex Manninger.

Charlton began the second purposefully, with Shaun Bartlett being denied by a tremendous reaction save from Manninger after Claus Jensen had found him unmarked at the far post.

Kanu fed Ljungberg in the area but the Swede stumbled as he shot, allowing Kiely to save easily.

Penalty

Jensen, Bartlett and Johansson had chances to double the home side's advantage as Arsenal began to wilt in the heat of The Valley.

This is the most satisfying win for Charlton since I arived in the summer

  Jonatan Johansson

With fifteen minutes remaining, Arsenal were thrown a lifeline when Patrick Vieira was brought down in the area.

However, Vivas - the man surprisingly given the responsibility to equalise - was spectacularly denied from the spot by Kiely.

It just wasn't to be Arsenal's day and if Manchester United can take maximum points at Old Trafford on Monday evening, this defeat must surely spell the end of the Gunners' title challenge.

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Charlton: Kiely, Kishishev, Rufus, Todd, Fish, Konchesky, Stuart, Parker, Jensen, Bartlett, Johansson. Subs: Powell, Robinson, Brown, Pringle, Caig.

Arsenal: Manninger, Dixon, Silvinho, Stepanovs, Grimandi, Vivas, Vieira, Parlour, Ljungberg, Pires, Kanu. Subs: Malz, Danilevicius, Lukic, Cole, Halls.

Referee: G Poll (Tring)