Cologne beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, but the Gunners still managed to clinch top spot in Group H.
Arsenal secured top spot in Europa League Group H despite losing 1-0 at Cologne on Thursday, with the Germans keeping their chances of qualification alive as a result.
Arsene Wenger's men knew that a point would guarantee them finishing top of the group, but they were ultimately able to do so even with such a poor result against the side bottom of the Bundesliga, with BATE and Red Star Belgrade drawing 0-0 in the other match.
GOALS:
62' GOAL! Cologne 1-0 Arsenal (Guirassy Pen)
MATCH EVENTS:
6' CHANCE! Cordoba shot saved
SAVE! Cordoba is played in behind the Arsenal defence and his cross-come shot almost catches Ospina out, but the Gunners stopper gets a fingertip to it to turn it behind for a corner.
13' CLOSE! Coquelin shot wide
CLOSE! Coquelin come within inches of breaking the deadlock, and his four-year goal drought, with a sweetly-struck effort from 20 yards, but, with Horn beaten, it just whistles past the post.
30' POST! Coquelin hit the post
Off the post! Coquelin runs onto a great Welbeck flat pass into the box and controls it nicely; his finish rattles the woodwork and rebounds the wrong way around, going out for a goal kick.
38' SUB! A sad sight for Cologne as Maroh is carried from the field on the shoulders of the team doctor and physio. Rausch replaces comes on in his place.
48' CHANCE! Lovely play from Wilshere, who plays two one-twos on the edge of the Cologne area to open up a sight of goal, but he has his pocket picked just before he can get a shot away.
62' GOAL! Cologne 1-0 Arsenal (Guirassy Pen)
Sehrou Guirassy dusts himself down and strokes the spot kick straight down the middle to send this home faithful into raptures.
Cologne XI: T.Horn; Klunter, Sorensen, Meré, Maroh; J.Horn, Jojic, Ozcan; Osako, Córdoba, Guirassy
Arsenal XI: Ospina; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Holding; Chambers, Elneny, Coquelin, Maitland-Niles; Wilshere, Welbeck; Giroud
Mbago Joel
79
This is very embarrassing. Arsenal supposed to win. They won't win Europa leaque and this is the only way they can qualify for the Champions league next season. Indeed, they will not Finnish in top for and i will be a 2nd season in arrow failing to qualify. Wenger must leave Arsenal for good sake, he is exhausted.
Bipabmu
73
Arsenal is a very good team with Giroud leading the front line if we continue like this believe me we will win this Europa plus premier league
it's really the same thing .even though we qualify to be in champions league we not any good to compete. and people criticise Wenger but today I cnt blame him cos the performance seen just shows how incompetent the team is doesn't matter even tho its a 2nd team.I think we shall pay the price for much longer than we expect unless these boys really get serious.this ain't the arsenal we knew.
Newman2020
72
Arsenal is a very good team with Giroud leading the front line if we continue like this believe me we will win this Europa plus premier league
samyboss17
31
disappointing night but what meters is that the qualified and got first place
Sanikpsuy
27
Topping a Group is not easy, it requires hard work, so it is clear Arsenal has performed creditably. Next is to maintain their tempo n enter the Europa with confidence so as to carry the trophy at stake.
Ekendraphadera
27
Arsenal lose in Germany but they still top the group.
neymarjr19
26
Cologne 1-0 Arsenal..this is really nonsense..why..i dont know..how to say.. Arsene Wenger tactical to me..is not too good..i means..Arsenal performance is not consistent..last match..they beat Tottenham 2-0..but now..how??Cologne is just underdog team..Arsenal have many great player..can scores..but..they still can't scores..so..to me..Arsene Wenger will feel not safe now..with his team performance not consistent..and..many match before this they lose..to me.. Wenger should give the best tactical in every match..even that team is just underdog teams..so..i just want to says.. Goodluck For Arsenal..in next match.. hope..they will back..
Antireal
22
why waste yourself when you're already qualified..those kind of games are just for fun