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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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Follow live updates below:
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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
85 mins: Wilshere has had a positive impact since coming on. He's playing in a midfield three alongside Elneny and Maitland-Niles but has been given license to attack. That has seen the 25-year-old play some nice looking through balls and get involved in intricate link-up play on the edge of the box where he is often most effective. Arsenal fans will be hoping to see plenty more of that this season.
90 mins: Alexis Sanchez goes for a very speculative lob from a tight angle on the left touchline but it loops just wide. That would have been some goal if it had gone in.
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