Arsenal opened their Europa League campaign with a 3-1 win over FC Cologne last night.
Thursday night must have been one of the most bizarre Arsenal night’s in recent memory. As 20,000 travelling Cologne fans swarmed the Emirates and pushed kick-off back to a very Spanish 21:05, I wondered if I hadn’t dozed off and was having some weird fever dream.
The Clock End had been occupied entirely by Cologne fans and while that section bounced and boomed all game, the rest of the ground was spotty with glum Arsenal fans. Ospina cocked up in goal and was lobbed by a man name named Jhon (yes, it is spelled that way), Arsenal spent much of the game passing between their three centre backs and our play was generally as shocking as the pink on Arsene Wenger’s coat. The boos at half-time were drowned out by the delighted travelling support.
A switch of formation and some keen substitutions turned things around in the second half. Two cracking goals from Kolasinac and Alexis put us ahead before Bellerin made the points safe.
A weird night all round, but a win is a win, and here’s how the players got on.
Midfield
Hector Bellerin 6
The Spaniard had an unfortunate first half. He was always willing to run forward on the overlap, but frequently had to scurry after over-hit passes from Alexis and Walcott. Had a more successful second half and poached the third goal of the match.
Alex Iwobi 5
Handed the chance to shine in a central position but was largely ineffectual. Despite being stationed higher up the pitch in the second half, he struggled to get on the ball and his passing was wayward. That he ended the night was an assist to his name masks the fact that pass itself was terrible. He was removed in the second half for Jack Wilshere.
Mohamed Elneny 6
A busy performance from the Egyptian, but one more notable for his defensive work than anything. Elneny was frustratingly limited on the ball, either short of passing options or unable to play the progressive pass into our attackers. He was, at least, actively covering for his team-mates and defended well on the night.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles 6
He would have been delighted to get another start for Arsenal. He would have been a little less delighted to discover he would be playing at left wing-back. With most of the play on the opposite side of the pitch, the first half passed him by. It wasn’t until he was moved into a far more comfortable midfield position that he got involved. He showed good composure and passing, and contributed to Arsenal’s improvement.
Next, forwards
Theo Walcott 3
Battling for his first team place, but before that he needs to win his battle with the offside flag. A rare opportunity to shine was ruined by an inability to stay onside. It was hardly the statement performance Walcott needed.
Alexis Sanchez 6
Awful all game except for the screamer he pulled out from his backside in the second-half. Even on his best days, Alexis is a turnover machine. It’s forgivable when he’s making a difference, but incredibly frustrating when the team is struggling. The second half didn’t see much improvement, until he curled one in from distance, and suddenly everything was forgiven. As flawed as he is brilliant at times; that about sums up Alexis Sanchez.
Olivier Giroud 5
No 100th goal for Giroud who toiled away up front but suffered from his team mates inability to get anything going in the final third. Had one good chance in the first half he could have done better with, but was otherwise starved of service.
Next, subs