Arsenal came away from Belgium with the three points in a thoroughly underwhelming 2-1 victory against Anderlecht. A makeshift defence was in place for the Gunners again, as injuries continue to plague the side. Emiliano Martinez played in his first Champions League game, whilst Nacho Monreal continued alongside Per Mertesacker at centre-back.
The first half was a less than entertaining affair, with just one shot on target from either side. Arsenal had their fair share of chances, though none of them threatened the goalkeeper. Cazorla had the first chance, but misfired in front of goal after meeting Alexis Sanchez' cross. Danny Welbeck had a number of chances missed; a header over the bar before a shot was blocked. Most of the first half was a possession game, with Arsenal slightly edging that statistic. Acheampong sent a cross in for Anderlecht, but out of the three players in the box, none were able to get a touch to send the ball in.
Half-time: Anderlecht 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal started the second half on the front foot, creating an early chance. The home side were not letting the Gunners go without a fight. Conte, whose bursting runs were leaving serious holes in the Arsenal defence, had their first threatenting chance, but Mertesacker was equal to the shot. Sanchez had the best chance of the game around the hour mark. Santi Cazorla took a costless-kick, which was met by the head of an unmarked Sanchez, who headed the ball straight at Proto in the Anderlecht goal.
Cazorla and Ramsey had a couple of chances to score before Anderlecht deservedly broke the deadlock. Najer was the furthest player from the ball when the cross was sent in from the right, but he rose to meet the ball and head past Martinez. On his Champions League debut, he hadn't much to do in the first 70 minutes, but his night was about to get a whole lot busier. Minutes later, the home side were inches away from doubling their lead. A lofted ball played from the Anderlecht half exposed the Arsenal defence, with a 40 yard gap between one player and the next Arsenal defender.
Alexis Sanchez had a costless-kick scrapethe side netting, before a crazy five minutes saw Arsenal score twice and turn the game on its head. Calum Chambers sent a looping cross into the box, which missed Alexis, but Kieran Gibbs was at the far post to smash the ball into the bottom corner. With the full 90 minutes up, most of the stadium would've expected just a point apiece. The drama was still to come.
Lukas Podolski had come on in the 85th minute for a tiring Jack Wilshere, and was getting into good positions. With 20 of his 28 Arsenal goals coming from substitute appearances, it was almost written in the stars. The German attacker hit the ball into the roof of the net from four yards, and the travelling Arsenal supporters went into delirium.
Full-time: Anderlecht 1-2 Arsenal
A thoroughly unconvincing win for the Gunners moves them onto six points in the group, three behind Borussia Dortmund, who look uncatchable on full points. The sides play at the Emirates in two weeks time, and another victory for the Gunners will knock Anderlecht out, and almost definitely see Arséne Wenger's men through to the knockout stages.