Arsenal vs. Anderlecht: Score, Grades and Reaction from Champions League Game

Arsenal conceded a commanding 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Anderlecht at the Emirates, missing the chance to secure a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Goals from Mikel Arteta, the irrepressible Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looked to have won it for Arsene Wenger's team, but a young Anderlecht side mounted a spirited comeback in the last half hour to steal a point.

The Gunners got off to a slow start but went ahead on 25 minutes after Danny Welbeck was fouled in the box by Chancel Mbemba. Up stepped Arteta and he made no mistake from the penalty spot, lifting his shot down the middle.

Arsenal doubled their lead soon after and it was all about that man Alexis. After being fouled 20 yards out, the Chile international hit his free-kick into the wall before smashing the rebound into the bottom corner on the volley.

The strike from Alexis was pure class—ripping through the ball to swerve it into the bottom corner and out of the goalkeeper's reach.

All focus, once again, was on Arsenal's brilliant summer signing, whose 11th goal of the season brought the Emirates to its feet.

The second half began with Arsenal firmly in control and scant evidence Anderlecht were capable of mounting a fightback.

The home side made it 3-0 on 58 minutes when Oxlade-Chamberlain broke away at pace to steer a shot into the corner.

"

What a great goal from The Ox! (via @Gnabrinho) https://t.co/7xvHUwzMfy

— UberArsenal (@UberAFC) November 4, 2014"

To their credit, Anderlecht refused to just sit back and were rewarded with a goal of their own soon after. It was scored by Anthony Vanden Borre, who met a cross at the far post with a close-range finish.

Suddenly the visitors began to believe, and with 20 minutes left a foul by Nacho Monreal gifted Anderlecht a penalty. Monreal got away with a yellow card, but Vanden Borre made them pay from the spot.

A game Arsenal looked to have wrapped up was a contest again. A nervous closing period followed, with the visitors pushing for an equaliser and Arsenal having to hold on.

Frank Acheampong came close when his rasping shot clipped the bar before Anderlecht levelled through Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 90th minute to silence the home fans—stealing in at the near post to head home.

Szczesny	5.8
Mertesacker	7
Monreal	6.1
Gibbs	7
Chambers	7
Arteta	7.9
Cazorla	6.7
Ramsey	7
Alexis	8.4
Welbeck	8.2
Oxlade-Chamberlain	8.7

Proto	6.6
Vanden Borre	8.1
Deschacht	5.9
Mbemba	5.8
Kljestan	6
Najar	7.4
Praet	7.1
Conte	6.7
Tielemans	6.3
Cyriac	6.3
Acheampong	7.4

"

Arteta: "The main aim when you start the competition is to win the group but we have thrown everything away today." #AFC #Arsenal

— AFCPressWatch™ (@AFCPressWatch) November 4, 2014"

The Gunners still have games against Dortmund and Galatasaray to come in Group D, as they seek to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage for the 12th season running.