Arsenal vs Cologne - as it happened: Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin help Gunners come from behind to win
A re-cap of all the action as second-half substitutes Sead Kolasinac and Jack Wilshere make the difference following a night marred by crowd chaos
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Arsenal get their Europa League campaign under way on Thursday night – a first for Arsene Wenger during his 21 years at the club – against Bundesliga side FC Koln.
The side will rest a host of first-team players as Wenger bids to make his return to the Champions League through the Premier League instead.
As a result, the likes of Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette have all been left out of the squad, though Alexis Sanchez features and Jack Wilshere is on the bench.
The fixture was delayed by an hour in the 'interest of crowd safety' following fan congestion around the Emirates.
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What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 8.05pm (BST) on Thursday 14 September at the Emirates Stadium.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast on BT Sport 2 and is also available to live stream on the BT Sport app.
It’s a big game for?
Jack Wilshere. With Arsenal’s first-team players set to be rested for Thursday’s game, the likes of Jack Wilshere and Co now have the chance to shine. The Englishman in particular has a point to prove, having been recalled from Bournemouth only to find himself overlooked as he recovers from yet another injury. It’s game such as these where Wilshere can set about clawing his way back into the regular starting XI.
Player to watch?
Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has been used sparingly by Wenger after the transfer turmoil of the summer and as he bids to regain his match fitness for the Premier League. Sanchez can expect a proper run out on Thursday as he attempts to rediscover the sort of form which caught the attention of Manchester City in the first place.
Form
Arsenal: WLLW
FC Koln: LLLW
Odds
Arsenal to win: 2/5
Draw: 41/10
FC Koln to win: 15/2
16 mins: Chance for Koln. Sloppy at the back from Mertesacker but his younger colleague Holding comes to the rescue with Zoller stalks.
19 mins: Decent effort from Walcott but Horn is equal to it.
21 mins: Holding makes a searching run down the right. The youngster has been lively so far tonight.
At the other end Koln break but goalscorer Cordoba fluffs it wide.
23 mins: Wide! Walcott with Arsenal's best chance of the night. Holding makes a strong interception and it falls to Iwobi who - with what looks like a handball - pokes it through to Walcott. Under pressure from the Koln defence, the England forward drags it wide. Better from the home side.
25 mins: Giroud attacks the near post again, but he's well guarded by Heintz and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
28 mins: Bellerin does well to hold the ball, he plays it back to Mertesacker and the ball is lost. Whistles from the away end every time Arsenal have a bit of possession.
Meanwhile, there's a warm round of applause from the home fans as Jack Wilshere gets his bib on and goes for a round of stretching.
29 mins: Koln go for something from the training ground at a corner but fluff their lines. That allows Arsenal to break, but a through ball to Alexis is loose and the German side regain possession.
30 mins: Chaos again in the Arsenal box! Rausch whips a delightful ball between Ospina and the back three and the keeper clatters into Hector with the Koln man coming off far worse. The ball pings around the six-yard box but thankfully for Arsenal, the linesman's flag is up for offside. Hector limps off for treatment.
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