Arsenal will struggle to believe that they have thrown away two points…
Arsenal will have to wait on qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League, after poor defending saw them throw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Anderlecht.
SEE MORE:
Mikel Arteta Penalty: Arsenal take the lead
Alexis Sanchez Scores – Signing of the season?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Goal – Does he deserve to start?
It all started so well for the Gunners, who took the lead through this lovely penalty from Mikel Arteta, chipped but hard and high, right down the middle. It was his first goal in the Champions League and it put his team on track.
A cracking goal from Alexis Sanchez doubled the lead. His free-kick hit the wall but spun back to him, 22 yards out, and with a lazy swing of his right peg he flashed a crunching volley past Silvio Proto and into the bottom corner. Tremendous finish.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then looked to have put qualification beyond any doubt with a fine third. Credit again went to Alexis Sanchez, who won the ball back in the final third with a sliding tackle, Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up the pieces, powering past the last man and burying the low shot across the keeper. Fine goal.
He was three yards offside, but at the time is shouldn’t have mattered too much. Anthony Vanden Borre slammed in a cross from the left to make it 3-1.
Nacho Monreal then made Arsenal fans start to worry as he conceded a penalty. There was no question of offside this time as right-back Vanden Borre grabbed his second of the night, slotted home.
From 3-0 down, Anderlecht then levelled! Andy Najar whipped in a fine first-time cross, substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic held off Per Mertesacker and connected with a stooping header! Incredible stuff.