- Arsenal embarrassed at home to Ostersunds
- Gunners lose 2-1 but scrape through on aggregate
- Arsenal booed off the Emirates Stadium pitch at the end
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Arsenal scraped through to the next round of the Europa League in a humiliating home defeat to Ostersunds this evening but a 4-2 win on aggregate overall.
The Gunners had what looked a comfortable 3-0 lead from the first leg win in Sweden going into tonight’s game at the Emirates Stadium, but were stunned by two quickfire goals in the first half.
Overall, it was a bit of a night to forget for Arsene Wenger’s men, but here’s our round-up of the action nonetheless…
Man of the match
Well, this isn’t a name you’ll know too well, but we’re giving it to Saman Ghoddos of Ostersunds.
The 24-year-old Iranian forward was a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side and picked up an assist to cap a lively display in north London.
Clearly not phased by the big stage, it’s a shame we won’t be seeing more of him in this competition after an unlucky exit for the Swedish minnows in a surprise win that many of them will remember forever.
Flop of the match
Well, Arsenal aren’t short of contenders, but we believe Calum Chambers just about shades it.
The former Southampton youngster arrived at the Emirates as such a highly-rated young talent back in 2014, but has gone badly downhill since then, seemingly losing all confidence.
Chambers’ main contribution tonight was an own goal, and he just couldn’t keep his composure even against opposition of this calibre – a sure sign his Gunners career will be over before long.
Stat of the match
A woeful stat that sums up just how vulnerable Arsenal are at the moment. Only Manchester City next, lads…
6 – Arsenal have conceded in each of their last six games at the Emirates in all competitions; their longest run without a clean sheet there since April 2014 (seven consecutive games). Woes. pic.twitter.com/ESv5NmGM97
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 22, 2018
Arsenal player ratings
David Ospina – 6
Rob Holding – 6
Calum Chambers – 5
Hector Bellerin – 7
Sead Kolasinac – 6
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 5 (SUB: Granit Xhaka – 6)
Mohamed Elneny – 6
Jack Wilshere – 6 (SUB: Joe Willock – 6)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6
Alex Iwobi – 6 (SUB: Ryan Nelson N/A)
Danny Welbeck – 6
Reaction
Arsenal fans are NOT happy, and understandably so, with the likes of Chambers and Danny Welbeck really coming in for abuse on Twitter this evening…
Chambers should never ever ever ever in this life kick a football again! At least not professionally
— indica (@Shaddyofficial2) February 22, 2018
Looking to the summer transfer window. Welbeck to anywhere, Iwobi anywhere, Chambers to anywhere, get them off the wage bill!!
— Sam Attwater (@samattwater) February 22, 2018
Get rid of Iwobi, Chambers, Elneny and the rest of the 11 and we’re good.
— Kausar Chy (@KausarChy) February 22, 2018
If Danny Welbeck has 6 free shots at John Lennon he would still be alive.
— Matthew White (@MattWhite0762) February 22, 2018
I would be completely okay if Danny Welbeck never played another game for Arsenal after today.
— Jordan Foss (@jfoss37) February 22, 2018
Welbeck couldnt hit water if he fell out of a boat
— Chris Grainger (@Chris_grainger1) February 22, 2018
I hope Danny Welbeck never plays again useless wanker
— Aaron Doherty (@aarongoose92) February 22, 2018
Iwobi needs a loan move to grow,and Welbeck needs to be sold because he will never come good at Arsenal.He’s not up for it.
— Onye-nku (@chidy_rueben) February 22, 2018