Anderlecht vs. Arsenal: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction
Arsenal scored twice in the final minutes to avoid embarrassment at the hands of a young Anderlecht squad, winning 2-1 on a cold night in Brussels during Wednesday's Champions League action.
The hosts frustrated the Gunners tremendously with a rock-solid organisation in the first half, limiting the spaces to operate in. Chancel Mbemba did well to shield Danny Welbeck after a dangerous long ball, as Arsenal dominated possession early.
Andy Najar and Ibrahima Conte found plenty of space in the wide areas, and talented youngster Youri Tielemans kept a tight grip on the midfield proceedings. Dennis Praet matched up well against Nacho Monreal, who struggled tremendously in the centre of Arsenal's defence.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The Spaniard was booked inside the first 10 minutes for a cynical foul on Cyriac, before Praet found some space on the edge of the box to fire in a low drive, blocked well by Per Mertesacker.
Chances were few and far between, with the Gunners mainly relying on set pieces. Alexis Sanchez created most of the danger, and he found Welbeck with an excellent cross after 16 minutes, only for the England international to aim his attempt wide.
As shared by OptaJoe, the offensive output was truly disappointing:
Plenty of rash challenges broke up play through the first half, not allowing either side to find their rhythm. Instead, the focus was on the midfield battle, where several of Anderlecht's young talents grasped the opportunity to impress scouts.
Welbeck found himself in front of Silvio Proto 30 minutes into the first half, but a phenomenal last-ditch tackle from Mbemba took away the Gunners' best opportunity of the half.
The Gunners had the best of the play in the final five minutes of the half, firing in several cheeky through balls, but Tielemans was on point to snuff them out every time.
Squawka football shared the first-half stats:
The hosts came out firing in the second half, Conte's deflected strike from close range nearly bouncing past Damian Martinez. Sanchez produced a powerful header on the other side of the pitch, which was well saved by the experienced Proto.
The match went up and down at a nice pace, unlike the first half, and Conte found himself muscled off the ball after a great pass from Anthony Vanden Borre. Anderlecht wanted a foul, and their claim perhaps wasn't unfounded when it became clear Conte's face was bloodied after Calum Chambers appeared to accidentally strike it.
Aaron Ramsey found some space on the edge of the box but aimed his shot wide, while Cyriac put his shot right on Martinez. The home fans got behind their team, as Arsenal started increasing the pressure on Proto's goal. The stopper produced an excellent save to deny Santi Cazorla, and Sanchez's rebound missed the target.
Just as it appeared Arsenal were taking control of the match, the hosts took the lead. Praet waited on the right wing before spinning free and lofting a delightful cross for Najar, who didn't miss his header. Bleacher Report UK's James McNicholas was harsh but fair in his assessment:
Anderlecht could have had a second on the counter after truly dreadful defending. Najar played the ball into Vanden Borre's path, whose mishit shot bounced off the post. The ball fell to Najar, who could only blast it into the side netting from close range.
The Gunners received a free-kick in an excellent area, but Sanchez's effort curled just wide of the goal, as Proto looked on beaten. Substitute Matias Suarez was given far too much space by Arsenal's back four and ran into Martinez untouched, but the stopper did well to deny him a clear scoring opportunity.
Steven Defour could have ended it just seconds later, but Martinez produced an excellent save. Anderlecht had the chances to put the match away, and as so often happens in football, the goal fell on the other end of the pitch. Chambers found Kieran Gibbs with a perfect cross, and the defender didn't miss.
Anderlecht looked shell-shocked, and Lukas Podolski found the winner just a minute later, giving Arsene Wenger the perfect birthday present.
Grades
Calum Chambers: B+
Chambers remains the bright spot in Arsenal's maligned back four, seamlessly making the transition from Southampton in almost no time. Supremely talented, he had another solid night and looks like the future of the Gunners defence
Alexis Sanchez: B
The Chilean remains Arsenal's most dangerous attacker, and despite not registering on the stat sheet Wednesday, his constant movement wore down the Belgian defence, contributing to their late lapses in concentration.
Dennis Praet: A-
Tielemans is undoubtedly Anderlecht's biggest talent, but he took that title from Praet. The attacking midfielder was once regarded as the next big thing in Belgian football before his development stalled, but he flashed all of his potential Wednesday.
Timing his runs perfectly all night, his decision to wait for help to arrive before crossing to Najar was a stroke of brilliance.
Post-Match Reaction
Pundit Paul Merson was anything but satisfied with the Gunners' performance, via The Independent's Chris Wheatley:
Highbury Harold agreed with the rest of his analysis:
Scorer Gibbs was elated with the result, via Wheatley:
Post-Match Outlook
Arsenal take control of second place in Group D with the win and are all but guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages. A win at the Emirates will likely eliminate Anderlecht, while Galatasaray have looked underwhelming in three straight matches.
Anderlecht deserved much better on Wednesday, but once again, their inexperience shone through. On talent, qualification for the Europa League should be possible, but Galatasaray will have their eyes fixed on Matchday 6 and their meeting at the Astridpark.
