Brussels: Arsene Wenger heaped praise on Lukas Podolski after the German international came off the bench to seal a 2-1 win in a remarkable finish to Arsenal's Champions League clash with Anderlecht on Wednesday. On the day he turned 65, Wenger was forced to gamble after his team went 1-0 down at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels through an Andy Najar goal in the 71st minute.

The Frenchman looked to the bench and one of his changes was to replace midfielder Jack Wilshere with forward Podolski six minutes from time. Left-back Kieran Gibbs volleyed in an equaliser in the 89th minute to spare the blushes, but Podolski came up with the winner in injury time to give Arsenal an unlikely win at the end of a disappointing display.