Final Score: Montpellier 1 Arsenal 2

ASSISTANT boss Steve Bould admitted he had ‘‘a bit of a headache’’ after stepping into the Arsenal dugout for last night’s Champions League opener in Montpellier which saw the Gunners battle back to win 2-1.

Manager Arsene Wenger was serving the first of his three-game touchline UEFA ban – and would have been fuming from the stands when captain Thomas Vermaelen gave away an early penalty, although replays suggested the foul was probably just outside the box.

However, the Premier League club, unbeaten in the domestic campaign, responded magnificently and were soon level through a fine finish by German Lukas Podolski.

Before the French side, making their Champions League debut following last season’s brilliant Ligue 1 campaign, could recover, Arsenal swept ahead in the 18th minute through Gervinho.

Bould said afterwards: ‘‘I am not sure I enjoyed it. I have got a headache and a half.

‘‘It is a different pressure than I have been used to taking the Under-18s – but we won and we had a great result.

‘‘It was difficult. I thought we were excellent in the first half – we kept the ball and kept the crowd quiet.

‘‘We looked a little bit tired in the second half, because it was very humid and the crowd got behind them.

‘‘It is quite an intimidating place to come and play so we are glad to get the result.

‘‘We have had a decent start to the season and we have kept the run going so it’s important all round, for the whole season.”