Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Arsenal AS IT HAPPENED: Europa League highlights

ARSENAL beat Red Star Belgrade 1-0 in Serbia. Relive the action LIVE with Express Sport.

Arsenal Red Star BelgradeREUTERS

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring against Red Star Belgrade

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Express Sport brings you the latest Europa League scores, updates and analysis

20:18: Jermaine Jenas is also cooing over Giroud’s goal.

“It is brilliant,” Jenas says.

“We had to wait for it, but it was brilliant play from Jack Wilshere here. When he picks up the ball, three players around, think he’s got nowhere to go.

“Look at that, lovely bit of trickery and then again, a little one-two with Walcott. You think Giroud has got no chance of putting that away.”

20:15: Martin Keown has had his say on Olivier Giroud’s goal.

“Well it’s the brilliance of Jack Wilshere,” Keown says.

“He punches a hole there through the midfield which doesn’t exist, mere mortals could only dream of.

“Then Theo Walcott keeps it alive and he somehow hooks it in. He’s got this reputation for overhead kicks and outstanding goals. There was another one tonight for Giroud.”

RED STAR BELGRADE 0-1 ARSENAL

FT: A piece of exceptional quality from Olivier Giroud proved the difference tonight folks. The Gunners are three from three in the Europa League as they plant on foot in the next stage.

93: Red Star trying to build momentum but it’s not happening. Think Arsenal are going to maintain that 100 per cent record.

92: Nelson collects a booking for dragging down Kanga. The fouled player delivers himself but Cech is off his line to collect.

FIVE MINUTES ADDED TIME

87: Well how do you follow that? You can’t really. Arsenal are just knocking it around in the midfield areas. Change for the Gunners as Willock is replaced by McGuane.

RED STAR BELGRADE 0-1 ARSENAL - GIROUD

84: WOW, just wow! Olivier Giroud has bagged himself another Puskas nomination with an absolute beauty.

Walcott and Wilshere combine before chipping it over to Giroud, who converts with a stunning overhead kick.

Think that’s better than the Scorpion Kick folks…

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

RED CARD

81: Rodic has been given his marching orders. The left-back picks up his second yellow after using Coquelin as a ladder.

Replays show it wasn’t actually that bad at all. Probably the wring decision on reflection. Coquelin made a meal of it.

Big opportunity for Arsenal now.

79: Pleassssseeee can we have a goal? BATE are winning in the other match in Group H. They are now three points behind the Gunners in third. 

75: Giroud goes for the spectacular with a swivelling volley from a corner, but he’s skewed it high and wide.

72: Stojkovic has a pop from range that dribbles harmlessly past the post. I’m getting quite a strong feeling this is going to end 0-0 now folks.

68: Radonjic races clear after a really poor Arsenal corner. He’s got Debuchy and Holding bearing down on him, but he still gets the shot away with Cech forced into a save.

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

65: Another cracking run, this time it’s Jack Wilshere. The midfielder wins another free-kick which might be within shooting range. Nelson certainly though so, but he’s clattered it straight into the wall.

63: Good play from Walcott with a direct run that yields a free-kick. It’s comfortably cleared by one of the giants Red Star have at the back.

60: Hour gone, still goalless. Arsenal have started to motor over the last few minutes with Nelson looking particularly impressive down the right flank.

58: Big let off for Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian plays an incredibly weak backpass, that Krsticic pounces with a shot that stings Cech’s palms.

54: Arsenal turning the heat up here. The fearless Nelson marauds forward and tests Borjan with a decent strike at the near post. Encouraging signs for the British side.

50: Ahhh, Mr Giroud has finally got involved. Wilshere and Willock combine with some nice build-up play before Walcott’s snatched shot almost finds Giroud, who slid in.

48: Really good challenge from Elneny. Srnic makes a good run between the centre-backs, but the makeshift defender recovers well to disposes him.

RED STAR BELGRADE 0-0 ARSENAL

45: We’re back underway folks. No changes for either side at the break.

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

TWITTER ROUND-UP

James: Very solid half from the Arsenal youngsters. Quietened the home crowd.

Frank: When I say Jack Wilshere should be in the England squad, people laugh. They're quite happy with Winks, Delph & Livermore though...

AZ: The ironic thing with Arsenal tonight is Le Relic (Arsene Wenger) has put out Giroud, Walcott, Coquelin, Debuchy in anticipation they lead the youngsters through the Europa League. That’s always been the problem- How can players with NO leadership qualities lead?

RED STAR BELGRADE 0-0 ARSENAL

HT: And thats the break. Not the most thrilling match you’ll see this season, but a few chances to keep us interested.

Boakye had Red Star’s best chance when striking the bar with a header, while Theo Walcott’s dragged effort should have found the net.

All to play for…

44: Danger! Maitland-Niles draws a free-kick after bamboozling Stojkovic. Walcott to deliver… tipped wide for a corner, which is promptly cleared.

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

42: Positive run from Nelson comes to nothing. The youngster sidestepped his way through a few challenges but couldn’t find one of his colleagues.

40: Debuchy shoots from 40 yards… well how do you think it went?

39: Just to keep you in the loop, it remains goalless between BATE and Koln in the other game in Group H.

36: Anyone seen Olivier Giroud? I swear his name was on the team sheet, but I don’t think I’ve seen him touch the ball!

33: Concern for Arsenal as Theo Walcott stays down after late challenge from Rodic. He’s booked, and I think the winger is fine to continue.

30: Arsenal starting to retreat into their shell after a bright opening. Red Star seeing more of the ball and are creating some decent chances.

Fabulous save from Cech! Radonjic checks his run and produces a brilliant half-volley on the swivel that Arsenal’s stopper parries away. Nelson blocks the rebound.

27: Red Star starting to show us what they’re about, as are Arsenal…

Boakye is left completely unmarked at a corner, and the forward’s header bounces off the ground and against the bar.

24: Incidentally, Debuchy has lasted longer than he did on his last start 11 months ago. That was a mere 16 minutes…

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

23: Srnic successfully keeps pace with Boakye on the counter but his effort is quickly snuffed out.

20: You’d have to say it’s been a pretty good start for Arsenal. A few chances created and they look fairly solid in defence. This Boakye fella is mighty quick though. Keep an eye out for him.

17: What a chance! Red Star fail to clear a free-kick, and it falls kindly to Walcott. The England international should thump it home but snatches at it. Goalkeeper Borjan makes a comfortable save in the end.

15: Boakye, who plenty of European clubs including Chelsea are reported to be monitoring, is lively. He broke the offside trap but his cutback was straight to Holding.

12: Close! Jack Wilshere finds himself in acres of space, and it’s pretty much a 3v2 situation, but he couldn’t release it to the unmarked Theo Walcott.

Big let off for Red Star. 

10: Debuchy sprays a ball forward but there’s too much on it, even for the chasing Theo Walcott.

7: Jack Wilshere does well to spot the run of Theo Walcott, who tries to do too much and eventually loses possession.

6: Not sure who’s responsible for the camera work in Belgrade tonight, but it’s like watching the Blair Witch Project. Handheld camera stuff fizzing around all over the place.

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

3: Plenty of noise in the stands, but not much in the way of chances. Red Star are seeing most of the possession, but no chances.

RED STAR BELGRADE 0-0 ARSENAL

1: We’re underway folks. As promised, we’ve got a very intimidating atmosphere here tonight. I don’t think you’ll find a more appropriate moment to show the whole world your cojones…

17:58: Really hoping for a big performance from Jack Wilshere tonight. The midfielder is clearly itching to get involved in the Premier League.

LINE-UPS

17:55: Quick reminder of those starting XI's. Saves you from scrolling down. I'm bloody nice like that.

Red Star Belgrade XI: Borjan, Le Tallec, Rodic, Stojkovic, Savic, Krsticic, Kanga, Donald, Radonjic, Srnic, Boakye.

Subs: Supic, Babic, Racic, Milijas, Adzic, Gobeljic, Pesic

Arsenal XI: Cech, Debuchy, Holding, Elneny; Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Maitland-Niles; Walcott, Wilshere; Giroud.

Subs: Macey, Osei-Tutu, McGuane, Sheaf, Akpom, Da Silva, Nketiah.

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

DEBUCHY FUTURE

17:50: Not sure you answered the question, Arsene.

BT Sports just asked Wenger if Mathieu Debuchy can still have a career at Arsenal, but the tactician wouldn’t be pinned down on an answer.

He explained: “It's always open, it's down to performances. He is back without any physical problems. Let's touch wood and hope nothing happens to him tonight."

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Steve: Arsene Wenger doesn’t care about this competition, but its very disrespectful to field a team like that, not one f*** do they give travelling fans!

Grossman: HAHA WTF IS THIS?! Surely Wenger knows he doesn’t HAVE to play a 3-5-2 right? A truly baffling team selection, no other way to put it.

Alex: Why isn’t Wenger playing Chambers?! Our back five is made up of a RB, CM, 2 x wingers and CB. Only 1 player in position FFS!

Errr, I think he’s injured, Alex.

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

MILOJEVIC: WE’RE TOGETHER

17:45: Anyone else think Vladan Milojevic, Red Star Belgrade’s manager, sounds like he’s auditioning for a role in Gladiator 2 when speaking about tonight’s clash?

Judge it for yourself.

He said: “Arsenal's defeats in the Premier League do not fool us - they are still an excellent team. Even if they fielded a rotated team, that wouldn't mean that they are underestimating us - Arsene Wenger doesn't ever underestimate anyone.

“We'll host one of the best clubs in the world, a club that competes in, what is for me, Europe's strongest league. It is a sell-out, our fans have already won. Now it's up to us to do the same. We're in it together.”

Top work Vladan, you’ve got the part!

THE SETTING…

17:40: I know yesterday Arsene Wenger said Arsenal were relishing the prospect of facing fervent Red Star Belgrade fans in the cauldron of their Rajko Mitic stadium.

Not sure relishing would be the word I would use to describe it.

Anyway, dug in at the heart of a busy residential district in central Belgrade, the 56,000-seater stadium when filled with fervent home fans produces decibel levels able to intimidate even the most battle-hardened opponents.

Tonight is no exception. Even Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach is taking some stick!

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

GROUP H STANDINGS…

17:30: Things are looking very comfortable for the Gunners. A victory tonight would send them five points clear of their nearest rival, regardless of what happens between BATE and Koln.

ERRRR, NOPE!

17:25: Speaking of having Cojones…

I’ve embedded a video (below) of the tunnel that Arsenal will be walking down at Red Star Belgrade’s stadium.

Think I’d rather take my chances with a dodgy parachute than go through that!

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Greg: Common sense prevails, there will be no controversial Premier League games on Christmas Eve, but then again I'll be in the pub anyway!

Nor: Not sure Arsene Wenger has his heart fully in the competition for Arsenal. His pre-season high hopes didn't include the Europa League I feel.

Hugh: Mathieu Debuchy has been so unlucky with injuries. He definitely still can contribute to this Arsenal team.

JACK TAKES EXCEPTION

17:15: Jack Wilshere believes that Arsenal were unfairly criticised after last weekend's 2-1 loss to Watford.

Troy Deeney certainly didn’t help matters…

The Hornets striker, who equalised with a penalty in the 71st minute, dismissed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's claims that the spot-kick was to blame for their loss and questioned the north London side's lack of cojones…

"As a player if your attitude is questioned, it's horrible. I look around this team and you can't question our character," Wilshere said.

"People try to put us down, they always have. I don't think the comments were justified. When we look back at the game we look back at ourselves and what we did wrong. I don't think we can look back and question our character."

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

17:05: Plenty of changes from Saturday’s defeat to Watford. Nine to be precise. 

Mohamed Elneny and Petr Cech are the only survivors with the goalkeeper starting between the sticks because David Ospina has not travelled.

Elsewhere Arsene Wenger has recalled Mathieu Debuchy for his first start in 11 months, while fellow Frenchman Olivier Giroud leads the attack.

Just cast my eye over the substitutes… not many to call upon if the worst should happen!

LINE-UPS

17:00: As promised. Arsene Wenger has named this starting XI for tonight’s clash. Looks like Mohamed Elneny will be playing as a makeshift centre-back. I remember he played there during pre-season.

Red Star Belgrade XI: Borjan, Le Tallec, Rodic, Stojkovic, Savic, Krsticic, Kanga, Donald, Radonjic, Srnic, Boakye.

Subs: Supic, Babic, Racic, Milijas, Adzic, Gobeljic, Pesic

Arsenal XI: Cech, Debuchy, Holding, Elneny; Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Maitland-Niles; Walcott, Wilshere; Giroud.

Subs: Macey, Osei-Tutu, McGuane, Sheaf, Akpom, Da Silva, Nketiah.

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updatesGETTY

Red Star Belgrade vs Arsenal LIVE: Europa League scores, analysis and updates

TEAM NEWS KLAXON

16:55: Those starting XI’s should arrive very soon indeed folks. My fingers are poised to bring it your way.

CHRISTMAS EVE…

16:50: Sorry to mention Christmas already folks. Only 67 days until I get to argue with my family again…

Anyway, the BIG news is that no Premier League games will take place on Christmas Eve.

Liverpool's trip to Arsenal was under consideration, but it will now be played on Friday, 22 December.

HELLO

16:45: Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Europa League.

Or as it should be known, The Fringe Player Trophy…

Yep, it’s another Thursday night, and that can only mean that Arsene Wenger is unleashing his lesser-spotted stars on unsuspecting European opposition.

And boy, haven’t they done well.

The Gunners boast a 100 per cent record in the competition and are firmly on course to qualify for the next stage.

Let’s get going!

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

Arsenal could recall Mathieu Debuchy for their Europa League group game at Red Star Belgrade, with the France international in line for his first start in 11 months.

The defender has been sidelined and almost left in the summer but is now expected to start in Serbia as Arsene Wenger rings the changes.

Petr Cech will start in goal as David Ospina has not travelled while Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (ankle) are among a host of first-team players not to travel.

Arsenal provisional squad: Cech, Macey, Debuchy, Holding, Dasilva, Mustafi, Bellerin, Nelson, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Wilshere, Willock, Elneny, McGuane, Giroud, Walcott, Iwobi, Nketiah.

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