Gunners fade late on to let advantage slip from their grasp
ARSENAL conceded a lastgasp equaliser at home to Slavia Prague to leave their Europa League quarter-final tie finely poised.
Nicolas Pepe had come off the bench to seemingly win the game for the Gunners with his strike four minutes from time, but the hosts could not hold onto their advantage as Tomas Holes headed in an equaliser.
The first leg at the Emirates looked set to end in a goalless stalemate as Arsenal passed up a number of fine chances. But club-record signing Pepe found the net with a deft chip, only for Holes to level late on.
Mikel Arteta opted to drop captain Pierre-emerick Aubameyang for the game, which saw Willian and Alexandre Lacazette hit the woodwork.
Slavia, who saw off Leicester and Rangers in previous rounds, had a couple of good opportunities of their own and ultimately scored what could prove to be a crucial away goal as Holes arrived at the back post to leave Arteta crestfallen on the touchline.
Aubameyang came on to miss a good chance, with Bukayo Saka and Lacazette also passing up decent opportunities.
Slavia skipper Jan Boril arrowed an effort just over Bernd Leno’s bar as the visitors enjoyed a bright start in north London.
Saka was enjoying a good start up against opposing full-back Boril, beating him several times and winning a free-kick with a little under 10 minutes left of the half.
Saka’s storming runs earned another free-kick at the start of the second half, this time right on the edge of the Slavia box.
Willian rattled the post, the chance acting as something of a wake-up call for Slavia. But it was Arsenal who again passed up a fine opportunity, Lacazette hitting the frame of the goal.
Gabriel Martinelli, Pepe and Aubameyang were all introduced in quick succession.
Aubameyang should have delivered with his first touch but skewed his strike horribly wide.
Martinelli did better with his first effort but saw it deflected behind, before fellow substitute Pepe made the difference.
Granit Xhaka played the ball forward to Aubameyang, who turned and played in Pepe, with the Ivory Coast forward bursting into the box and finishing coolly.
Slavia reacted well and levelled in stoppage time as Leno turned a Lukas Provod shot onto the post and behind.
Provod took the resulting corner, which flicked off the unsuspecting Pepe and allowed Holes to stoop and head in.
ARSENAL: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric Soares, Partey (Elneny 77), Xhaka, Saka (Pepe 77), Willian (Martinelli 73), Smith Rowe (Ceballos 88), Lacazette (Aubameyang 78).
Subs not used: Mari, Nelson, Nketiah, Ryan, Hein, Lopez Salguero, Azeez.
SLAVIA PRAGUE: Kolar, Bah, Zima, Holes, Boril, Hromada (Sevcik 46), Provod, Dorley (Lingr 69), Stanciu (Masopust 84), Oladeji Olayinka (Traore 85), Sima (Kuchta 69).
Subs not used: Tecl, Stejskal, Kovar, Visinsky.
Referee: Andreas Ekberg (Sweden)
Man of the match: Bellerin
Match rating: 6/10