WILLIAM GALLAS and Emmanuel Adebayor spared Arsenal's blushes as they overcame Steve McClaren's gutsy FC Twente side in Holland.
Gunners' captain Gallas converted Robin van Persie's free kick just after the hour mark to put Arsene Wenger's side 1-0 up following a drab first half which saw neither side create any real clear-cut chances.
And Togo striker Adebayor netted the second on 82 minutes to give Arsenal a two-goal advantage to take into the vital return leg at the Emirates in a fortnight's time. Arsene Wenger started the game without nine first team players and was forced to hand 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey his competitive debut. The Welsh youngster slotted in alongside Brazilian ace Denilson, 20, in the centre of Arsenal's midfield as the Gunners had to make do without Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby.
But the Londoners made light of their injury problems to put former England boss McClaren on the brink of another Euro exit.