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
2 mins: It's been a relatively calm start to the match despite the chaos beforehand, with Arsenal playing it about at the back. Neither team in the ascendancy so far as Rob Holding gives away a free-kick on the half-way line.
5 mins: The free-kick comes to nothing for Koln, as they try to play it short and Elneny makes an easy block.
6 mins: A first attack for Arsenal as Holding plays a searching ball into the right channel.. but Elneny can't quite reach it and Horn collects it with ease in the Koln goal.
8 mins: As John Hartson points out on commentary, Alexis Sanchez shows great hunger as he chases and harries the Koln defence. There's no questioning his professionalism on the pitch.
9 mins: Great hit from Cordoba. Ospina rushes out of his goal to clear a hopeful long ball but rather fluffs it. The ball ricochets around midfield before falling to the Colombian who is at least 40 yards out. He curls it towards goal and Ospina can't scramble back in time. The away end - and large sections of the home end - goes wild...
13 mins: Arsenal launch an attack but it's halted by the Koln defence, the Germans break with great pace and Bittencourt tries a speculative effort from distance but it goes sailing over the bar.
The Koln fans are in great voice.
14 mins: Corner for Arsenal. The ball is pushed out wide to Iwobi who fizzes it in and Giroud's near post shot is deflected wide. Monreal gets a header from the resultant corner but it's blocked.
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