Arsene Wenger expects UEFA to launch an investigation into the crowd disturbances which threatened Arsenal's Europa League clash against Cologne.

The Gunners ran out 3-1 winners in the Group H opener, which was delayed by an hour after away supporters caused havoc outside the stadium in what was dubbed a night of shame at the Emirates.

As many as 20,000 Cologne fans are believed to have made the journey from western Germany despite only 3,000 tickets being made available.

That meant many attempted to enter without tickets or with tickets for the Arsenal sections, where it soon became clear ahead of kick-off that plenty had succeeded.

Away fans infiltrated the home end (
Image:
REUTERS)
Kick-off was delayed by an hour (
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REUTERS)
There were chaotic scenes before the game (
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REX/Shutterstock)

Five arrests were made as the Metropolitan Police said that additional officers had been deployed to the area following the unrest.
Substitute Sead Kolasinac volleyed Arsenal level after they went in at half-time trailing to Jhon Cordoba's long-range effort.

Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin struck to seal the three points from the match but it was off-pitch actions which Wenger believes may now be scrutinised.

Cologne fans clashed with stewards, brought in flares and sat in home sections but it is likely to be Arsenal - as organisers of the match - who face potential sanctions.

Asked if UEFA should take action, Wenger replied: "They are the only master to analyse the facts of what happened. They will certainly make an inquiry to see what happened, for sure.

"They (Cologne fans) were very clever.

"I don't know how they managed to infiltrate our fans and get everywhere but they did that very well. I don't know if they went through Arsenal membership, on the internet... they did very well.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has had his say on the evening (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Extra police were drafted in (
Image:
REX/Shutterstock)
The match kicked off at 9.05pm (
Image:
REUTERS)
There was also trouble outside the stadium (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

"We waited patiently in our dressing room but what was difficult was for me was I had all kind of plans to think about at some stage

"It was all kind of speculations you know that we had to analyse and see how we can deal with the situation. But in the end at some stage I thought they would not play the game, because I can't see the police taking any risk.

"We live in a society of 100 per cent security and I thought they would never take a gamble to play this game when I saw the images around the stadium. But I must say our supporters as well dealt well with the situation as well and there was no aggravation."

Cologne coach Peter Stoger refused to be questioned on the actions of the club's supporters: "I have no comment about the fans," he said.

"I'm the coach, my job is the team, my job is football not the fans."

A club spokeswoman added: "We have to first inform ourselves and in the next few days we will talk about that."

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