Ludogorets vs. Arsenal: Score, Reaction from 2016 Champions League Match

Arsenal qualified for the knockout stages of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Ludogorets Razgrad.

Jonathan Cafu and Claudiu Keseru gave the hosts a shock 2-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes, but Granit Xhaka and Olivier Giroud managed to tie things up before half-time.

The second half was a drab and uninspired affair, but Mesut Ozil struck late to give Arsenal three points and book his team's spot in the next round. FC Basel dropped points against Paris Saint-Germain and can no longer overtake the Gunners.

As expected, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made some changes to his starting XI with the derby against Tottenham Hotspur coming up. Carl Jenkinson and Giroud were handed a start, per the club's official Twitter account:

Ludogorets thoroughly disappointed at the Emirates Stadium on Matchday 3, and they weren't expected to do much better on Tuesday. But after a cagey start and a lovely bit of skill from Aaron Ramsey that almost led to a chance, the hosts took control of the match.

Wanderson and Marcelinho gave the Gunners all kinds of fits with their movement, and the midfield battle wasn't nearly as one-sided as Arsenal fans perhaps expected. Ozil tested goalkeeper Milan Borjan with a placed shot, but other than that, the Gunners' vaunted attack did little damage in the opening stages.

And after 12 minutes, the hosts took a shock lead, with Cafu converting from a free-kick after Arsenal left him entirely unmarked. Bleacher Report UK couldn't believe Arsenal's dreadful defending on the occasion:

Things got even worse for the visitors three minutes later, as Cafu easily dribbled past Kieran Gibbs before finding Keseru, who doubled his team's lead in between Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi.

Ryan Bailey of Bleacher Report Radio couldn't help himself:

Ludogorets had another fast start and took a lead for the third time in four Champions League matches. The Bulgarians had just the one point to show for it, as their defence has struggled defending an advantage.

Their two-goal lead didn't last long, as Ozil fired in a cross Giroud only just missed, but Xhaka was there to score the Gunners' first goal.

Per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen, Arsenal sorely needed the quick strike:

The Gunners now dominated the ball and increased the tempo, but the hosts dealt with the pressure well. Jenkinson almost found Giroud with an unexpected cross, and Xhaka nearly isolated the Frenchman with a ball over the top.

Alexis Sanchez didn't enjoy the greatest first half, highlighted by a poor curled shot that missed the mark by yards, and Ozil had a shot blocked inside the box.

DIMITAR DILKOFF/Getty Images

An equaliser seemed more likely than a third Ludogorets goal, even if Wanderson always presented a threat on the counter, but Giroud pulled his side level shortly before half-time, finishing off a superb cross from Ramsey.

Per Squawka Football, the France international is making his presence felt on his return from injury:

Fans hoping for a similar spectacle after the break were left disappointed, as the pace of the match dropped dramatically. A knock on Kieran Gibbs halted the match shortly after the restart, setting the tone for a drab period.

Sanchez and Svetoslav Dyakov were involved in a minor altercation, and Francis Coquelin got himself booked for protesting a handball decision. Arsenal grew frustrated as the half wore on, and Ludogorets started to find some chances.

Wanderson squeezed a shot past Jenkinson, drawing a save from David Ospina, and the stopper made another fine save just minutes later, denying the Brazilian forward once again.

Valentina Petrova/Associated Press

Sanchez started dropping deeper in an attempt to link the midfield play with the forwards, but Ludogorets were not impressed and kept aiming for the counter. The Gunners answered with crosses, to little effect.

Arsenal made a few attempts at a late push for a winner, with all their possession leading to few chances. Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain flashed his talent, but all in all, goalkeeper Borjan had little work to do. 

But Ozil struck with just minutes left to play, lifting the ball over the stopper after a lovely pass from Mohamed Elneny. Former Germany international Michael Ballack loved it:

Arsenal far from deserve the lead based on the second half, but the Gunners didn't care one bit. With Basel failing to beat PSG at home, Arsenal are now assured a spot in the knockout stages.

The match winner took to Twitter after the game:

Arsenal will host Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, while Ludogorets play CSKA Sofia on Saturday.