Arsenal had to leave it late before seeing off FC Koln but in the end, did just that in a 2-1 victory. After an hour's delay to kick-off time due to safety concerns, the team opted to wait another 45 minutes before turning in any kind of performance.
It was the German side who took the lead when Jhon Cordoba latched on to David Ospina's loose clearance. However, Arsenal fought back with goals from Sead Kolasinac, Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin.
Alexis' contribution was the outstanding moment of quality on the night, as he cut infield from the left before sending a shot arcing into the far top corner. The game will be remembered for the delay and scenes from the Koln supporters, though, as 20,000 were present in London with some causing disturbances at some of the Emirates' ticket gates.
Positives
Alexis is back. He might not have been at his best throughout the game, but the manner in which he dispatched the most crucial goal of the game will have delighted Arsene Wenger. The game time will also surely prove valuable as Wenger prepares to take his team to Chelsea this weekend.
Arsenal fans might also remember tonight as the night on which Reiss Nelson made his competitive debut. The teenager was one of the stars of the Gunners' preseason, and the Europa League is set to provide a platform for him to exhibit his extraordinary talent.
Negatives
Arsenal's first-half performance was absolutely dire. Perhaps their concentration had been affected by the uncertainty over whether the match would actually go ahead.
There's also real uncertainty now over what Arsenal's best formation is. The back three experiment saved their season last time round, but it seems to leave the Gunners worryingly light in midfield.
Manager rating
7 -- Credit where it's due: when Arsene Wenger's initial XI looked well short of the task required, he made excellent changes, introducing Kolasinac and switching to a back four. He has recently shown a tendency to switch systems partway through games -- how long will it be before he stops deploying three at the back altogether?
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK David Ospina, 4 -- For all his ability, Ospina always seems alarmingly prone to major errors. So it proved in this game, with his clearance landing at the feet of the grateful Cordoba, enabling the Colombian to lob his countryman from some distance. Were it not for an offside flag, Ospina would surely have followed up by giving away a penalty. This was not a night to remember.
DF Rob Holding, 4 -- It's been a difficult start to the season for Holding, who suffered the ignominy of being substituted at half-time. While his withdrawal was seemingly designed to allow Arsenal to switch to a back four, he had been performing poorly, giving the ball away with alarming frequency. Holding looks like a player badly lacking in confidence -- a fate that has befallen so many young Arsenal centre-halves before him.
DF Per Mertesacker, 6 -- The club captain has presumably been disappointed to be confined to the bench for much of the early part of the season. This was not, however, a performance to change Wenger's mind -- it would be a huge surprise if he kept his place for the weekend's trip to Stamford Bridge.
DF Nacho Monreal, 6 -- It feels significant that when Wenger switched to a back four, he kept Monreal on over Holding. The Spaniard is now classed as a centre-back -- a role in which he has grown very reliable.
MF Hector Bellerin, 7 -- This was quite a quiet game for the Spaniard, but he made use of his outstanding acceleration to burst on to a saved Walcott shot and tuck home the rebound for Arsenal's third.
MF Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 6 -- The youngster started as a left wing-back. We didn't learn too much about him tonight -- except the fact that the left flank is not his best position. When he switched to central midfield at half-time, he looked much more comfortable.
MF Mohamed Elneny, 6 -- The Egyptian is a steady player, but all too often in this game he was asked to be a one-man midfield. Unsurprisingly, that proved too much for him. The centre of the park is an area Wenger must work on if Arsenal are to stand any chance against Chelsea this weekend.
MF Alex Iwobi, 5 -- Wenger has long insisted he sees Iwobi ending up in a central role. However, presumably he must mean as a No. 10 rather than as a pure central midfielder. In an unfamiliar deeper starting position, the Nigerian looked out of sorts. His instinctive forward forays left the defence frequently exposed.
FW Theo Walcott, 4 -- The kindest way of describing Walcott's performance would be "rusty". He was frequently offside, and when he did manage to hold the line his contributions were clumsy.
FW Alexis Sanchez, 7 -- Arsenal's returning star could not be accused of not caring. He was a volatile presence on the pitch, losing his rag with Maitland-Niles at one stage as his frustration boiled over. His own game appeared to be suffering, until he produced a quite outstanding goal to complete Arsenal's comeback and underline his importance to the side.
FW Olivier Giroud, 5 -- The Frenchman will have to wait for the 100th goal of his Arsenal career, having been starved of service for much of this game. He'll almost certainly return to his regular role as a super sub for Sunday's game.
Substitutes
DF Sead Kolasinac, 8 -- What a massive impact from Arsenal's Bosnian bruiser. He replaced Holding at half-time and swiftly scored the equaliser with a thumping volley. He was also involved in the build-up to the Bellerin goal that set the seal on Arsenal's victory.
MF Jack Wilshere, 6 -- Replaced Iwobi on 68 minutes to make his first appearance at the Emirates Stadium since May 2016.
FW Reiss Nelson, NR -- Introduced for Theo Walcott in the 82nd minute, Nelson only had time for a couple of neat touches.
Source : KweseEspn
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