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. The biggest cheer of the night from Arsenal’s supporters came when goalkeeper Milan Borjan lost his footing while attempting a quick throw in the first half. Who knew, at the time, it would be the pinnacle of the evening’s entertainment? Red Star came to defend deep and were quick and dangerous on the break, with striker Richmond Boakye squandering a couple of glorious chances. They found Matt Macey, Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper, in determined mood. He made one splendid save in the first half to deny Vujadin Savic and another vital intervention soon after the interval when he touched a skidding cross to safety. With nine points already in the bag and Manchester City and Tottenham on the horizon, Wenger took no risks with any of his first-teamers. As it turned out, a point was enough to reach the last 32 because Cologne collected their first points of the campaign with a win against BATE Borisov. As BATE and Red Star still have to meet, it is impossible for two teams to overtake Arsenal’s haul of 10 points at the top of Group H. Red Star may have won the European Cup but they celebrated this stalemate wildly at the whistle as the scattering of home fans still left inside the Emirates mixed groans and jeers, which seemed to annoy some of the Arsenal players.

‘People supported the team,’ said Wenger. ‘We didn’t see goals and they are used to seeing goals at the Emirates. ‘It’s frustrating that we didn’t score but we understand with young players in the team. It’s part of the learning process for them to play these games. We will continue with the rotation because we want to play in every competition. ‘Overall, we lacked a bit of quality and vision in the final ball to find the right space and overall it’s a fair 0-0.’ Red Star deserved to return to Serbia with a point. Their fans supplied the noise and their players brought the spirit, typified by Borjan who made two good saves from Olivier Giroud in the first half. Arsenal dominated after the interval without creating much and their growing impatience triggered two desperate penalty appeals, the first for an alleged trip on Jack Wilshere and the second for a handball against Savic. Referee Luca Banti was quite correct to ignore them both. Wilshere was the brightest and most likely to find a way through, jinking and hustling, and did beat Borjan late in the game, only to see Damien Le Tallec hook his shot clear from the goalline. ‘If you can’t win the game, don’t lose it,’ said Wilshere. ‘We’re not delighted with a point but we’ll take it. We’ll learn from this. I’m enjoying my football and being back in an Arsenal shirt.’