Arsenal travelled to Marseille on Wednesday night for their opening match of the new Champions League campaign at the Stade Velodrome.
The Gunners are hoping to go further than last term when they were eliminated by eventual winners Bayern Munich, while Les Phoceens failed to qualify for Europe's elite competition last time out.
Arsene Wenger's side got off to the perfect start with an important victory away from home.
Read how the match unfolded in our live commentary below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage from the Stade Velodrome where Marseille host Arsenal in the Champions League.
What an eventful night we had on Tuesday, with the biggest club competition in the world finally making its return. Both sets of fans for this match will be anticipating a great occasion this evening.
It's so far so good for the teams of France and England in this competition. Paris Saint-Germain were victorious at Olympiacos, while both Manchester clubs were able to secure an important opening victory. However, one of these nations will lose its 100% record tonight due to this match, although with Chelsea also in action, it could be both.
This match sees two of the sides from the widely-regarded 'Group of Death' go at it, with 2013 finalists Borussia Dortmund travelling to Serie A leaders Napoli in the other Group F encounter.
All these teams will be desperate to get off to a good start due to the stiff competition in the group.
Right, before we get into the other facts, lets bring you the team news.
MARSEILLE XI: Mandanda, Fanni, N'Koulou, Lucas Mendes, Morel, Imbula, Romao, Payet, Valbuena, A.Ayew, Gignac
So Marseille manager Elie Baup has made just one change to the side who drew at Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Saturday. Andre Ayew is introduced into the team at the expense of new signing Florian Thauvin.
Andre-Pierre Gignac starts as the centre forward in a 4-3-3 formation, with Dimitri Payet and Ayew either side of him. Valbuena will be pulling the strings in the middle of the park, with Imbula and Romao sitting behind him.
And now for the Les Phoceens substitutes.
MARSEILLE BENCH: Samba, Mendy, Lemina, Cheyrou, Thauvin, Khalifa, J.Ayew
So Thauvin, who forced through a controversial transfer from Lille during the summer, is dropped to the bench, and is joined by Jordan Ayew and fellow new boy Saber Khalifa.
And now, let's bring you the Arsenal news.
ARSENAL XI: Szczesny, Sagna Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey; Walcott, Ozil, Wilshere, Giroud
Arsene Wenger makes a single alteration to the lineup that beat Sunderland on Sunday. Per Mertesacker, who has recovered from an illness, replaces Carl Jenkinson in the team and moves into the centre of defence as captain.
That means that the weekend's stand-in skipper and centre-back Bacary Sagna shifts across to his accustomed right-back position.
Record-signing Mesut Ozil and striker Olivier Giroud are both fit enough to start the match.
The Gunners are also lining up in a 4-3-3, with Ozil on the left flank and Theo Walcott on the right either of Giroud. Jack Wilshere starts in the centre of midfielder along with Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini.
And now for the substitutes bench.
ARSENAL BENCH: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Jenkinson, Miyaichi, Hayden, Akpom
The Gunners' recent injury troubles continue and is shown through young players Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden's presence on the bench. Akpom is a 17-year-old striker who was present on the club's pre-season tour of Asia, while Hayden is an 18-year-old centre-back.
Wenger is still without Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla, Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby for a start. That's some group of players they have to welcome back.
A quick shout as well to Mathieu Flamini, who starts for the Gunners against his former club. The Frenchman moved to London from Les Phoceens for his first stint at Arsenal back in 2004, and plays his first Champions League game for his current employers in five years.
Arsenal's visit to Stade Velodrome marks their 16th successive Champions League campaign, a run beaten only by Manchester United and Real Madrid and they are looking to make it a record-breaking 10 away wins in a row in all competitions.
The these sides were forced together in the Champions League group stages two years ago. Aaron Ramsey scored a late winner to give Arsenal a 1-0 win the last time they visited this stadium, before they shared a goalless draw in North London.
Arsenal are also unbeaten in their last nine matches in France, and have only lost once since March. They are in some form at the moment, and managed to do the impossible last season, and beat Champions League winners on their own soil.
Meanwhile, Marseille's good performances have been stuttering as of late. Les Phoceens found themselves top of Ligue 1 after matchday three with an 100% record, before losing to AS Monaco and drawing with Toulouse in their most recent two matches.
Let's hear what the two managers had to say prior to the match.
Baup: "We know we're not favourites but this is football and we will try to be the team that defies the odds. We are approaching this game with a lot of desire and hunger.
"Individually Arsenal have a better team but our ambition is to try and perform well."
Wenger: "People say that Dortmund and Napoli are our first opponents but I think that Marseille will have their chance.
"A couple of years ago there was a similar group but it was Marseille and Arsenal who qualified. Nothing is played yet and they have an opportunity to qualify."
The teams are out onto the field, and lining up for the Champions League theme. Marseille are wearing their white home kit with sky blue trim, while Arsenal are sporting their yellow away kit with blue shorts and hooped socks.
Marseille have won this competition before back in 1993, while Arsenal were beaten finalists in 2006.
KICK OFF! Marseille, shooting from right to left, get the match underway.
First test for Wojciech Szczesny as Valbuena puts a cross in towards Gignac. The striker runs towards the near post and flicks the ball towards the far corner with his heel, but it's too soft to trouble the keeper.
Valbuena now has a pop from range after being left in some free space, but Szczesny catches above his head.
Marseille have had practically all the ball so far, good tempo to this match.
Ozil chips a cross to the edge of the box towards Walcott, who meets the ball with his head. It's on target but cannot beat the vast amount of players Marseille had back in the penalty area.
Walcott runs on to a ball over the top as Marseille fail to pull off a high line. Walcott is being tugged from behind by Morel, but manages to slam his shot across goal but Mandanda is equal to it.
A lot of evidence to suggest that Walcott could have an enjoyable night down the right flank against Morel. He is played in again but this time is marginally offside.
No chances in the last few minutes, but Arsenal are starting to take over in terms of possession.
Payet goes down on the edge of the Arsenal box and wants a free kick. However, replays show that Ramsey clearly got the ball, and the referee agreed.
Marseille have won a corner, could be a chance here.
Payet's corner is just too high for Mendes to do anything with it. Valbuena curves a pass back out wide to Payet, who opts to volley it across the face of goal first time but sends it into the stands.
Marseille have now begun to take charge of the match. Such a back and forth game this already.
Arsenal have to watch Valbuena as he is popping up everywhere. Ayew runs down the left and cuts the ball back to the little maestro, but his half-volley is thumped over the bar. Warning signals though.
Another corner for Marseille. Lucas Mendes the target.
CLOSE! That's the nearest we've come to an opener and it was mighty close. The corner is half-cleared by Arsenal, before a cross is whipped onto the penalty spot where Ayew rises and powers a header towards the bottom corner. There is nothing that Szczesny would be able to do about this but, luckily for his side, it creeps just wide of the target.
Marseille are definitely the better side at the moment.
Arsenal haven't been applying as much pressure tonight as they have in their last few matches. They're inviting Marseille to attack currently and aren't passing particularly great either.
Wilshere has the ball on the edge of the D and plays a brilliant ball towards the right of the box and Walcott with the outside of his boot, but Marseille can put it behind.
Ozil plays the corner towards Mertesacker at the near post, who catches a boot in the face from Fanni and goes down in pain. A goal kick is given.
Marseille have been offside a host of times already this match and that is largely due to the Gunners' tactical high line. Steve Bould must have been doing a lot of work back at London Colney.
In the other Group F match, Napoli have just taken the lead against Borussia Dortmund courtesy of Gonzalo Higuain.
Arsenal being forced to see out a series of pressure at the moment. Corner to Marseille.
Giroud is able to head the danger clear, but N'Koulou gets to Wilshere's long pass before Ozil.
Arsenal are now getting a bit more possession and hovering around the Marseille box. Ramsey has a goal-bound effort blocked accidentally by Giroud, before Gibbs' miscontrol takes the ball out of play for a goal kick.
Marseille are knocking on the door as Payet gets around the back of the Arsenal defence before gliding down the byline and putting a low cross in across the face of goal. Gignac is lurking, but Mertesacker makes a vital block.
CHANCE! Payet takes the corner and swings it towards the near post towards the big Gignac. He shrugs off Ramsey and nods the ball across goal but just over the bar.
YELLOW CARD N'Koulou is the first man into the book after coming through the back of Giroud on the halfway line. Clumsy from the defender.
Marseille win a free kick about 35 yards out, which Valbuena will look to cross into the box.
Valbuena opted to play it to the left touchline to Morel, and Marseille continued to casually knock the ball about.
Gignac is played into the box by Payet, and is in a good position to trouble Arsenal. However, Szczesny is quickly off his line to push the ball away.
HALF TIME: Marseille 0-0 Arsenal
So it's goalless at the break in a topsy-turvy match. Marseille have had the better chances, but haven't really troubled Szczesny. Arsenal have been feeding off scraps, and haven't test Mandanda at all.
It's been an even game, with both teams exchanging momentum, but hopefully we will see a few more good chances after the break.
The players are back out on the field, as we await the second half.
KICK OFF! Arsenal, now playing from right to left, get the second half underway.
No changes at the break from either side.
Early corner for Marseille as Fanni's cross is blocked by Gibbs.
CLOSE! Marseille are fractions away from taking the lead. Arsenal twice deal with a ball into the box, before it comes in again for a third time to the near side of the penalty area. Fanni, in space, slams the ball on the half-volley with some power but watches it just fly wide.
Marseille have a lot of players back when Arsenal come forward, and are crowding out the Gunners. Defending very well so far.
Arsenal come forward now with Ozil down the right. He sweeps the ball across the area towards Walcott, but Mendes is there to put the ball behind for a corner.
Marseille easily clear the danger.
CLOSE! Arsenal have their best move of the match as Ozil is played into the box on the left. He picks out Kieran Gibbs with a wonderful backheel but the full-back, who beat several players to the ball, hits it straight at Mandanda, who holds it the second time.
YELLOW CARD Ramsey goes into the book for a late challenge on Imbula.
CHANCE! Marseille whip a cross in from the left which lands at the feet of Payet on the edge of the box. He hits a shot first time which is comfortably stopped by Szczesny. It's lifted the noise at the Stade Velodrome though.
SAVE! Arsenal are starting to find their feet now as Sagna curls a ball towards the unmarked Wilshere at the far post. The England international opts for a side-foot volley, which forces Mandanda into a decent save.
OFF THE LINE! Wow, what a huge let off for Arsenal there. Morel puts a dangerous ball into the box which causes a mix-up between Mertesacker and Szczesny. The ball beats them both and is heading for the back of the net, but Gibbs gets in front of Gignac on the line and heads clear. Brilliant from Gibbs, poor from the other two.
This game is so finely poised at the moment. Either side could catch the other on the break or against the run of play.
Imbula gets a left-footed shot away from the edge of the box, but Szczesny is equal to it down to his left.
GOAL! Marseille 0-1 Arsenal (Theo Walcott)
Breakthrough at the Stade Velodrome, and it's Arsenal who take the lead. The ball is whipped in from the left to the far post, but the left-back Morel can only nod it behind him to the lurking Walcott. He lets it bounce, before hitting a piledriver into the far top corner. No chance for Mandanda. Walcott has his first goal of the season.
SAVE! Payet unleashes a strike from the edge of the box which sails through a crowd of bodies towards goal. It's swerving just wide of the target, but Szczesny doesn't know that, and pushes the wall past the post.
Marseille have responded well to going behind and are on the attack. But Arsenal have held them out well up to now.
CHANCE! Arsenal have a corner from the left which Walcott curls in. Giroud meets it with his head on the penalty spot, but can only direct it wide of the far post.
MARSEILLE CHANGE Dimitri Payet is replaced by Jordan Ayew.
CHANCE! Valbuena has another effort at the Arsenal goal, but he pings it over the bar.
In the group's other game, Napoli have just doubled their lead against 10-man Dortmund.
ARSENAL CHANGE Nacho Monreal comes on in place of Theo Walcott.
CLOSE! Valbuena hits a shot just wide inside a crowded box, but it looked initially as if Flamini had been fouled by Ayew. Somehow it wasn't given, but the Gunners survived.
CLOSE! Arsenal nearly secure the win as Ozil ghosts into the box on the left side. He hits an effort towards the far corner, but just drags it wide of the target.
GOAL! Marseille 0-2 Arsenal (Aaron Ramsey)
What a huge goal this is for Arsenal and who else but Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman has been unstoppable so far this season, and picks up the pass outside the box from Monreal before Ramsey lets the ball roll across him before holding off his markers and slamming a low shot into the back of the net. The effort took the slightest deflection on the way in, but Arsenal won't care. This is a huge win.
That's Ramsey's sixth goal in seven games so far this season. Brilliant from him.
Szczesny emerges in a crowded penalty area to catch a high cross. Arsenal have defended well for the vast majority of tonight.
MARSEILLE CHANGE Valbuena is replaced by Khalifa.
ARSENAL CHANGE Mathieu Flamini is brought off, with Ryo Miyaichi coming on.
The fourth official has signalled three minutes added time.
PENALTY TO MARSEILLE!
Marseille have the chance to mount a very late comeback, as Ramsey's loose touch in the box is gobbled up by Ayew, who was then clipped by the Welshman.
GOAL! Marseille 1-2 Arsenal (Jordan Ayew)
Szczesny guessed the right way from the spot kick, but Ayew put his shot high into the top corner. Good penalty.
FULL TIME: Marseille 1-2 Arsenal
Just the late scare then for Arsenal from that Jordan Ayew penalty, but it is a very good win for the Gunners in a tricky group.
After an even first half, Arsenal started to take control after the break and went ahead through Walcott's powerful hit. Ramsey doubled the lead before Ayew responded with a late penalty.
Well that's it from me tonight, I hope you enjoyed the match. Until next time, it's goodbye.
