Arsenal lose but still top Europa League group

Coach Arsene Wenger and his team suffered their first defeat in the Europa League this season, with a score of 0-1 at Cologne on November 23.

Arsenal were already assured of progressing ahead of their trip to Germany. They needed just a point to maintain their top spot in Group H. That is why Wenger gave opportunities to young players, reserves or players returning from injury such as Danny Welbeck, Calum Chambers and David Ospina. None of the players in the 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League started.

On the other hand, Cologne needed a win to keep their hopes alive. The match started quite openly. In the second minute, Ainsley Maitland-Niles forced the home goalkeeper Timo Horn to show his talent. Not long after, it was the turn of the away goalkeeper Ospina to jump up and block a shot from Jhon Cordoba.

Playing with less calculation, Arsenal gradually took control of the game and organized attacks with more density. Meanwhile, Cologne had to switch to a defensive counter-attack, so the number of opportunities created was not much. However, the home team was the one who played effectively and enjoyed the joy of victory.

In the 62nd minute, Sehrou Guirassy dribbled in the penalty area and was illegally tackled by Mathieu Debuchy. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Guirassy himself took the penalty, with a powerful kick that beat goalkeeper Ospina and opened the score.

Arsenal have lost their last four away games in Germany, including two at Bayern, one at Dortmund and one at Cologne, conceding 13 goals and scoring just two.

Arsenal then went on the attack. Per Mertesacker almost equalised with a header, but Horn was able to block it on the line. Not long after, it was Jack Wilshere's turn to test the home goalkeeper's skills.

Substitutes Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah also had chances, but failed to score. Wilshere then had another shot, but still could not beat Horn. The visitors had to go home empty-handed.

In the same match, Red Star Belgrade drew with BATE Borisov. Thanks to that, despite losing in Cologne, coach Wenger and his team are still sure to finish the group stage in first place.

The final round of the group stage takes place in two weeks time, with Arsenal taking on BATE.

According to VNE