The Spaniards went in at the interval two goals ahead after a stunning display of flowing football.

Wenger, already without Ray Parlour in midfield, was given another injury scare on 20 minutes as Grimandi was scythed down by Fran - although Swiss referee Urs Meier took no action against the visitors’ captain and Grimandi carried on after lengthy treatment.

Arsenal continued to press and after Pires won a corner, Igors Stepanovs headed Henry’s delivery over the top.

But the Premiership’s second-placed side were stunned on the half-hour as Deportivo went ahead.

Fran instigated a break down the left, setting Enrique Romero free and the full-back’s low centre found the unmarked Valeron who picked his spot and slotted past Seaman.

Seaman then kept out another Valeron volley, after Diego Tristan cushioned a header into the midfielder’s path, as Deportivo flexed their creative muscles.

But the England keeper was helpless five minutes before the break as Valeron played a one-two with Tristan and from the former’s lay-off centre-back Nourredine Naybet’s shot looped off Stepanovs and into the net.