UEFA Champions LeagueValencia...2 Arsenal...1Arsenal are out of the Champions League, overcome in equal measure by the chances John Carew took for Valencia's goals and by their inability to hang on to the advantages they have so often held in Group B.
Thierry Henry put them level briefly as they sought the draw that would have sufficed, but this fixture had always had the makings of an ominous occasion.
Arsene Wenger's team demonstrated a desire to determine their own fate at the Mestalla, but the opener from Carew in the 34th minute made it much more difficult for them to grasp that destiny. The powerful Norwegian striker had accounted for Arsenal two years ago with a goal in the quarter-finals of this tournament.
The advantage that he established here was evidence of the subtle character of the Champions League, because the visitors had, until then, been the better side.
Sol Campbell played despite his Achilles injury and Kolo Toure replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst at left-back.
Wenger also wished to find a balance between audacity and security. With the speed of Freddie Ljungberg and Sylvain Wiltord providing cover on the flanks, Robert Pires operated just behind Henry.
Rafael Benitez, Valencia's coach, has witnessed the form of his side flounder and Arsenal might have pushed them into an even darker self-doubt. David Albelda's header was poor in the first minute, but Santiago Canizares was able to parry Henry's drive. Released by Pires seven minutes later, the striker's shot from the right was docile.
After 28 minutes, Arsenal were again probing the inside-right channel and this time, with a piece of role reversal, Henry freed Wiltord for a blocked attempt. From the corner, Gilberto Silva's header deflected off Vicente and on to the bar.
Without yielding desperation, however, Valencia were constantly refining their attacking strategy, with an emphasis on the link-up between Anthony Reveillere and Francisco Rufete on the right. It was a partnership that started to make Arsenal appear vulnerable and Pablo Aimar, the midfield prompter, was shedding his hesitancy.
In the 34th minute, he worked a one-two with Vicente and jabbed a pass behind Pascal Cygan. The vigour of Carew was also marked by balance as he raced through the gap and lashed the ball low past the left-hand of Stuart Taylor at the near post.
Before half-time, Patrick Vieira was booked for a foul on Rufete.
The Mestalla was not subdued by an Arsenal equaliser in the 49th minute, when Pires put Henry clear on the left for a perfect finish into the far corner.
Valencia reacted as if they had been stimulated by the challenge. Within six minutes, Taylor made a splendid save from a Carew header after a Vicente cross but moments later the same combination had the Spanish champions in front once more.
Wiltord was to blame as he tried to shepherd possession and lost the ball so that the winger could deliver and see the Norwegian striker neatly bouncing a header beyond the goalkeeper.
Valencia were disconcertingly buccaneering in a spell when Pablo Aimar erupted with ingenuity and Benitez's team thought only of obliterating the visitors. But after 70 minutes they lost Canizares to a head injury after he fumbled an effort and took a blow as Ljungberg pounced on the rebound.
That, in itself, was not enough to alter the night and Arsenal now pined to hear good news from Rome. But it never came.
Guardian Service
VALENCIA: Canizares (Palop 70), Reveillere, Ayala, Carboni, Albelda, Pellegrino, Rufete, Vicente, Aimar, Sanchez (Angulo 68), Carew (Marchena 89). Subs Not Used: Aurelio, Djukic, Mista, De los Santos. Booked: Carboni, Pellegrino, Aimar. Goals: Carew 34, 57.
ARSENAL: Taylor, Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Toure (Kanu 86), Ljungberg, Silva, Vieira, Pires, Wiltord (Jeffers 76), Henry. Subs Not Used: Holloway, Stepanovs, van Bronckhorst, Parlour, Edu. Booked: Vieira, Pires. Goals: Henry 49.
Referee: K Vassaras (Greece).
