Arsenal 3 - Cologne 1: Five talking points as Ospina and Walcott flop and Kolasinac stars

The Gunners come from behind to overpower Cologne in the second-half thanks to Sead Kolasinac, Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin.

OSPINA

There have always been question marks about the Colombian as a top class keeper.

And Ospina’s involvement in the Cologne’s opener demonstrated exactly why.

He should have done far better with the clearance, however, take nothing away from the precision of Jhon Cordoba’s shot.

SANCHEZ

For 65 minutes, Sanchez was a frustrated figure.

He was dispossessed on several occasions, pictured puffing his cheeks in disappointment and just generally poor.

But with one swing of the right boot, he showed exactly why Arsene Wenger wanted to keep him.

It was a stunning strike from the Chilean.

KOLASINAC

The summer signing has arguably been Arsenal’s player of the season so far.

Yet Wenger seems reluctant to play him regularly.

The Bosnian replaced Rob Holding at half-time and made an immediate impact scoring with a thumping finish.

It was his energy, passion and aggression which drove Arsenal forward in the second half.

WALCOTT

Tonight’s match was Walcott’s first start of the season and on this evidence he faces a tough challenge making it a regular thing.

He was weak in possession, wasteful on the ball and caught offside on numerous occasions.

His career is drifting at the Emirates.

CHELSEA

On the evidence of Arsenal’s performance this evening, the Premier League champions have little to fear on Sunday.

It was a much changed Arsenal team but there was the same defensive concerns and poor work-rate which has cost them already this season.

Chelsea will start the match as heavy favourites.