10-man Valencia hold Arsenal to 0-0 draw

Valencia have held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in the Champions League second phase on a freezing night at Highbury despite playing for the last 18 minutes with only 10 men.

Valencia had midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo sent off for a needless foul on defender Pascal Cygan, elbowing the tall French defender in the chest in front of Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen, who immediately showed him the red card.

But despite their advantage in the Group B clash on Tuesday, the English champions failed to improve on their poor home record in the competition. They have now won just one of their last five Champions League games at Highbury -- a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in September.

Valencia coach Rafael Benitez was a happy man afterwards, telling a news conference: "It was an important point for us."

"It was a match we could have won as well as lost, but with all the problems we had at the end we are very pleased with the outcome."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "It was an excellent game between two top teams. My team deserves a lot of credit for the way they played."

"We do not fear anyone but at this level, the quality of the teams is very high and the group will only de decided at the very end, I am sure."

Although Arsenal lost key midfielder Patrick Vieira after 37 minutes with a groin injury, they still dominated most of the play and had the better chances.

But Valencia's reserve goalkeeper Andres Palop had an outstanding game for the Spanish champions, making several important saves, not least from late substitute Nwankwo Kanu with just 25 seconds of normal time remaining.

Valencia stretched their unbeaten run in the Champions League to 12 matches -- counting the 2001 final which they lost on penalties as a draw -- and were well worth a point which keeps them well in contention for a place in the last eight.

Although they had few clearcut scoring chances, they defended superbly with Mauricio Pellegrino and Roberto Ayala impressive in the back line.

Arsenal, who won their second phase opener 3-1 at AS Roma a fortnight ago, were looking for a second victory that would have put them well on course for the quarter-finals before the competition takes a two-month break.

But midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg failed to connect properly with Dennis Bergkamp's inviting cross and Thierry Henry, who had a night to forget, fluffed his first-half chance when put clean through by Patrick Vieira.

A superb turn and shot by Ljungberg from close range after the break produced a sensational save by Palop, who then followed up by deftly catching Bergkamp's powerful header.

But despite all the pressure, and late goalline clearances at both ends, Valencia, who were held 1-1 at home by Ajax Amsterdam two weeks ago, held out for a valuable point.

Arsenal top the table with Ajax on four points, followed by Valencia on two and Roma on zero.

Arsenal take on Ajax at Highbury on February 18, while Roma host Valencia when the competition re-starts after the winter break.