Arsenal 0-0 Red Star Belgrade, RESULT: Gunners seal last-32 place despite goalless affair at the Emirates

  • Arsenal starting XI: Macey, Nelson, Debuchy, Elneny, Holding, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin, Willock (Nketiah), Walcott, Giroud, Wilshere 
  • Red Star Belgrade starting XI: Borjan, Stojkovic, Le Tallec, Savic, Gobeljic, Krsticic, Donald, Srnic (Racic), Kanga (Milic), Radonjic (Pesic), Boakye
  • Gunners seal progression to the UEFA Europa League round-of-32
  • UEFA Europa League kick off from the Emirates Stadium is at 8.05pm GMT
  • READ: The full match report from the Emirates Stadium

Having launched their Europa League campaign amid the disorder of 20,000 uninvited Cologne fans Arsenal tip-toed into the knock-out stage of the competition before rows of unoccupied seats at the Emirates Stadium.

The official attendance of 58,285 was fooling no-one and, despite the best efforts of the boisterous Red Star fans, the soporific mood bled onto the pitch where Arsene Wenger’s young team lacked the power to inflict any damage.

READ: The full match report from the Emirates Stadium


  • Sam Morshead

    Host commentator

  • Dan Ripley

    Host commentator

22:15
Here are all of this evening's UEFA Europa League results

That's all from me this evening on a mixed night for Premier League clubs as Arsenal go through and Everton go out.

I'll leave you with all of the day's results. Cheerio.

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22:10
It wasn't vintage Arsenal...

But it didn't need to be. Granted there will be a few grumbles about a fringe team failing to see off Red Star Belgrade at home but Arsenal's objective at the start of the night has been completed.

They are through to the round of 32, and will most likely finish as group winners too over the remaining two games. Happy days?

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21:58
FULL-TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Red Star Belgrade

Arsenal are through to the UEFA Europa League round of 32

21:56

90+1min: That means as we enter four added minutes, Arsenal only need to avoid defeat to book a round of 32 place.

That's not in their mindset though as the Gunners continue to press for a late winner.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott (third right) misses an attempt at goal at the Emirates Stadium
21:55

90min: Final change for the visitors as Aleksandar Pesic replaces Radonjic. Cologne have scored again against BATE, having won 5-2.

21:52
Red Star Belgrade substitution

87min: Time ticking away at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal's place in the round of 32 may be as good as secure but judging by the Gunners' pressure they are pressing for an opening goal like they are trying to stay in the competition.

Uros Racic replaces Srnic for the visitors

21:46

84min: I appear to have got my sums wrong as I bring you news that Cologne now lead BATE 4-2. This scoreline at the Emirates Stadium would be enough to take Arsenal through.

21:45

81min: What a chance for Red Star! Richmond Boakye missed a first half sitter and he's wasted another! Collecting a pass inside the box, and with Matt Macey just to beat, he blasts wide at the near post... again.

21:43

79min: Yes, yes, yes...no. Mohamed Elneny plays a lovely ball into the box for Walcott but from a tight angle and close range, the forward fails to make any contact with the ball as Borjan collects.

21:41

76min: Good effort. Wilshere pings a cross into the box where Theo Walcott powers a header just wide across goal.

21:40

75min: While it was an even contest in the first period, Arsenal have controlled much of the second half but can they find a breakthrough?

In fairness they already look good for a round of 32 spot, but it would be good to seal a place now by grabbing a late winner.

21:36

72min: A first booking of the game as Rob Holding sees yellow following a tussle for the ball with Slavoljub Srnic.

Red Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan (left) jumps for the ball with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud
21:34
Red Star Belgrade substitution

70min: Red Star also make a switch as Guelor Kanga departs to be replaced by Nemanja Milic. The former is furious with the decision as he throws a little tantrum before eventually taking his seat.

21:32
Arsenal substitution

68min: On comes Eddie Nketiah who, at 18, scored twice against Norwich in the League Cup last week as he replaces Willock.

21:31

67min: And after Giroud is, rather harshly, penalised for being over aggressive in an aerial battle, Arsene Wenger prepares his first change.

21:30

65min: Two big chances for Arsenal. The first sees Jack Wilshere win the ball near the box before darting in and seeing a chipped shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Damien Le Tallec. Seconds later Giroud turns inside the box as the Red Star players appeal in vain for offside but woefully lashes wide of the near post.

21:27

63min: Over an hour gone and still no goals in north London. So if it's Group H goals you want then it's off to Cologne where having led 1-0 and trailed 2-1, the home side now lead BATE 3-2.

21:25

60min: Penalty shouts from Arsenal fans as a low cross bounces off a Red Star hand. But it was not at all deliberate and the referee agrees as he allows play to go on.

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson (left) goes down following a tackle from Vujadin Savic
21:22

57min: Wilshere finally gets time on the ball and he produces a good pass for Joe Willock who launches an attack through the centre. The midfielder though shoots from distance rather than pick out a Theo Walcott run and his effort is way off target.

21:19

54min: A good run from Reiss Nelson takes him as far as the Red Star box, but there he is met by a crunching but fair challenge.

21:15

51min: Red Star with a half-chance at the other end. Slavoljub Srnic collects a through ball but with a weak effort across the target, Matt Macey easily collects.

21:12

48min: Early chance for Arsenal but Olivier Giroud fires just off target from outside the box.

21:10
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at the Emirates Stadium

'Official attendance figure of 58,285 (tickets sold) given at Arsenal but might be closer to half that number.'

There is DEFINITELY not 58,000 inside the stadium...

21:09
Red Star Belgrade get the second half going again - no changes
Red Star's Nemanja Radonjic (front) controls the ball in front of Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny
21:03
It's been an even enough game at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal have probed to create more, as you might expect, but with Red Star denying Jack Wilshere space and looking dangerous on the counter there hasn't been much to split the sides.

In fact it's arguable that the visitors have had the best chances. Matt Macey's fingertip stop to turn a header onto the crossbar is the save of the match so far.

Here are the half-time scores:

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20:54
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
Goalkeeper Matt Macey of Arsenal watches as the ball hits the crossbar after making a save
20:52

45min: What a chance for Red Star! Richmond Boakye runs in on goal but with just Macey to beat he stabs woefully wide of the near post. It's a dreadful miss. There will be three added minutes.

20:50
Meanwhile over in France, it's a return to Selhurst Park and 1995
20:47

40min: It's been a good showing so far from Red Star, who have countered well especially in the last 10 minutes or so. Regarding the group's other match, BATE have struck twice in three minutes to now lead 2-1 in Cologne as we approach half-time.

20:44

37min: Remember Macey's nervous start? Well he's put that behind him now, making a fantastic stop at full stretch to tip a Nemanja Radonjic effort onto the crossbar before then advancing off his line to claim the resulting corner.

Red Star Belgrade's Nenad Krsticic (left) tussles with Arsenal's Jack Wilshere for the ball
20:42

36min: And then chances at both ends! Joe Willock bulldozes through the midfield before setting up Giroud who is fumbled at his feet by the onrushing Borjan.

Red Star counter and it results in Stavoljub Srnic forcing Macey to tip over for a corner - one that is delayed as Borjan receives treatment.

20:39

33min: Better from the visitors as a decent low ball into the box just fails to find a Red Star striker before they win a corner that is cleared.

Arsenal try to break but Mohamed Elneny's long ball is overhit and out of play.

20:38

30min: Arsenal have had 67 per cent of the ball and I'm surprised it's not an awful lot more. I cannot remember the last time Red Star stuck three passes together - although at the same time I can't remember the last time Borjan had to make a save either.

20:35

27min: Lots of Arsenal passing - stacked high and sold cheap through safe sideways balls in the midfield. 

To Red Star Belgrade's credit it's because they are stifling Jack Wilshere space on the ball, with the midfielder looking to burst forward whenever he can but surrounded by Red Star shirts as soon as he pick sup possession.

20:30

24min: As if this game needed more stoppages. Now Mitchell Donald is down injured for Red Star after an attempted challenge on Joe Willock. He is being treated on the pitch but it looks like he will continue.

20:28

22min: There hasn't been awful lot to cheer so bring on the slapstick comedy. Red Star keeper Borjan provides it as he slips over trying to throw the ball out, which of course is followed by the ever so British reaction of 'wahey' around the Emirates Stadium.

20:24

19min: Arsenal getting well on top now. This may not be the first team but the kids are certainly stepping up as they dominate possession.

There has been a goal in the other game in this group with Simon Zoller firing Cologne in front against BATE.

Red Star Belgrade fans show support for their team in the stands at the Emirates Stadium
20:21

16min: ...and fails to beat the first man with his delivery. It does lead to successive Gunners corners though.

20:21

14min: Free-kick for Arsenal on the left, Giroud again involved as he is brought down near the corner flag. Theo Walcott stands over...

20:18

11min: One minute it looks like Olivier Giroud is holding his hamstring and seemingly on his way to an early exit, the next he nearly opens the scoring.

Seven yards out the striker gets on the end of a cut-back but can't steer his effort past Milan Borjan.

Filip Stojkovic of Red Star Belgrade fights off pressure from Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles
20:16

9min: A small stoppage in play as Red Star Belgrade's Damien Le Tallec needs treatment following a light tap to the face from Theo Walcott - yes it's that ridiculous - as they battled for the ball.

20:14

6min: Decent enough start from both sides. Arsenal looking dangerous as they attack the right flank, but it ends with Theo Walcott firing over the bar.

20:12

3min: Early nerves from Matt Macey in the Arsenal goal. His poor clearance falls as far as a Red Star attacker 25 yards from goal but the Gunners defence is quick to react to prevent the visitors from getting a shot on target.

20:09
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at the Emirates Stadium

'Terrific noise and montage from the Red Star fans packed into one corner of the Emirates as the game kicks off. Lots of empty seats in the home end.

'Far from the scene for the last Europa League tie here when 20,000 Cologne fans turned up and the kick-off was delayed for an hour.'

20:05
Here we go

Arsenal can book their place in the last 32 with a win. Can their makeshift side see off the Serbians? Let's find out.

20:03
Sportsmail's MATT BARLOW at the Emirates
20:02
The players are out at the Emirates

There's a big old tifo from the travelling Red Star fans in the away end. They've been in excellent voice throughout the day, as they made their way through London to the Emirates.

Kick-off is moments away.

19:56
Kick-off is 10 minutes away
19:48

Arsene Wenger has claimed Mathieu Debuchy could feature as a centre back more regularly after the Frenchman impressed as part of a back three on his return from injury.

The 32-year-old joined Arsenal from Newcastle in 2014 as right back but has made just 25 appearances in all competitions after being plagued by injuries and facing intense competition from Hector Bellerin.

Debuchy made his first appearance for Arsenal since November 2016 during last month's 1-0 win at Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League and played every minute of the Gunners' extra-time Carabao Cup victory over Norwich City last week.

Debuchy starts at centre back tonight.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Nacho Monreal and Mathieu Debuchy
19:43
Setting the scene
The Emirates Stadium before kick-off
A sign shows that the game is sold out
Olivier Giroud of Arsenal in the changing room
19:32

Gareth Southgate has told Jack Wilshere he cannot see him getting in his England squad if he cannot even tie down a spot at Arsenal.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said this week that the 25-year-old midfielder should be recalled by the Three Lions boss.

Yet Wilshere has been left out of the squad to face Germany and Brazil.

Wilshere starts for Arsenal tonight.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Jack Wilshere and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during a training session
19:26
Red Star Belgrade team news
19:26
Arsenal team news

Arsenal are hoping to maintain their 100 per cent start to the UEFA Europa League as they look to book a place in the round of 32 when they host Red Star Belgrade.

With three straight victories the Gunners have made light work of Europe's secondary competition so far and victory would ensure a spot in the knock-out stages later in the season.

Follow all the Emirates Stadium action, with kick-off from 8.05pm GMT.

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