In the end, neither the Salonika team, nor their notorious crowd inflicted much damage on Arsenal last night. A one-goal deficit going into the Highbury leg of this tie gives Arsene Wenger plenty of cause for optimism. As fireworks cracked and a column of riot shield-wielding police took their place beside the pitch before the kick-off, the visitors could be in no doubt a highly-charged night lay ahead. But the Arsenal players quickly knuckled down, coming close to scoring after just three minutes. Patrick Vieira ran past Theodoros Zagorakis and was brought down, it seemed, inside the penalty area. But the referee gave a free kick and Emmanuel Petit could only force an acrobatic save from Nikolaos Mickopoulos.

Arsenal's attacking intent had been shown by Wenger's bold move, in the absence of Dennis Bergkamp, to partner Wright with the fast and skilful Nicolas Anelka rather than the more conservative David Platt. Yet as the first half wore on, it was Salonika who pushed forcefully for the opening goal, while the chances that did come Arsenal's way were wasted - Wright blasted a handily-placed free kick over the bar. Constantinos Franzeskos, Zisis Vrizas and Paroshos Zoumpouris, meanwhile, provided Salonika with a mobile front three when the Greeks attacked.

With Tony Adams back after his long injury lay off, the Arsenal back four donned a familiar look and seemed to be coping reasonably well with the pressure. However on 61 minutes, Salonika finally broke through. Dixon had already given Seaman kittens by playing a ball straight to Constantinos, whose speed to Zisis ended with a shot over the bar. Seven minutes later, Ahilleas received back a one-two and slotted the ball behind the Arsenal defence into the path of Constantinos on the right of the area. There was a hint of offside about the striker's position, but his shot past Seaman stood as a goal to the relieved delirium of the home crowd.

Paok Saloniki: Mickopoulos, Olivares, Tasiopoulos, Kolobourds, Zafiriou, Zagorakis, Fratzeskos, Vrizas (Kapetanopoulos 59), Toursounidis, Nagbe (Velis 75), Zoumpouris. Subs Not Used: Sidiropoulos, Katsouris, Argiriou, Kases, Nastos. Booked: Tasiopoulos, Zoumpouris, Olivares, Kolobourds, Zagorakis. Goals: Fratzeskos 61.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn, Vieira, Bould, Adams, Wright, Anelka (Wreh 75), Overmars (Boa Morte 70), Parlour (Platt 70), Petit. Subs Not Used: Upson, Marshall, Manninger, Garde. Booked: Wright, Adams, Vieira. Attendance: 42,000.

Referee: M Diaz Vega (Spain).