Arsenal reserves limp into knockout stage

HAVING launched their Europa League campaign amid the disorder of 20,000 uninvited Cologne fans, Arsenal tip-toed into the knockout stage of the competition before rows of unoccupied seats at the Emirates Stadium. The official attendance of 58,285 was fooling no one and, despite the best efforts of the boisterous Red Star fans, the soporific mood bled on to the pitch, where Arsene Wenger’s young team lacked the power to inflict any damage but still qualified thanks to Cologne’s comeback victory against BATE Borisov. The biggest cheer from the Arsenal supporters came when goalkeeper Milan Borjan lost his footing while attempting a quick throw. Red Star came to defend deep and were quick and dangerous on the break, wasting one glorious chance and several promising situations, and finding Matt Macey, Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper, in determined mood. Macey made one terrific save in the first half and another vital intervention soon after the interval when he touched a low cross to safety. Having won the first three games in Group H and with a trip to Manchester City on Sunday, Wenger was taking no risks with his first-teamers. Red Star’s noisy fans, packed into one corner of the ground, supplied the soundtrack as Borjan made an early save to prevent Arsenal taking a first-half lead through Olivier Giroud. Jack Wilshere worked the ball wide to Ainsley Maitland-Niles, raiding forward as a wing back on the left, and his low cutback found Giroud, scorer of a spectacular winner in Belgrade two weeks ago. He turned the shot on target but Borjan blocked with his legs and later saved bravely at the feet of Giroud after Joe Willock won the ball in midfield and released his centre forward. Red Star, always looking to