MX23RW : Friday, January 24 00:01:02| >> :120:4610:4610:
[monks data]
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 15, 2018 at 6pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-3

FT(HT: 0-2)
Monreal (13'), Papagiannopoulos (24' og.), Ozil (58')

Arsenal coast to win over Ostersunds FK in Europa League

Arsenal move to the brink of progression through to the last 16 of the Europa League after a 3-0 win against Ostersunds FK on Thursday night.

Arsenal have recorded a 3-0 win over Ostersunds FK in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie in Sweden on Thursday night.

Nacho Monreal and an own goal from Sotirios Papagiannopoulous put Arsenal in full control at the break, before Mesut Ozil added a third to effectively wrap up the tie ahead of next week's second leg.

Ostersunds played their part but in added-on time, Tom Pettersson squandered a chance to boost their slim chances of progression by missing a penalty.

The first chance of the game went to the returning Danny Welbeck, who headed wide of the far post after meeting Mohamed Elneny's cross, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan also had an effort cleared off the line by a defender.

However, from the resulting corner, the Gunners took the lead through Monreal, who converted from close range after Aly Keita had fumbled the ball into his path.

Mkhitaryan had a long-range effort parried away but Arsenal soon doubled their advantage when Papagiannopoulos diverted a cross from the Armenian playmaker into his own net.

However, going further behind turned out to be the catalyst for a revival from Ostersunds, who had Alhaji Gero force David Ospina into an acrobatic save with a volley from distance.

Saman Ghoddos then saw a low strike comfortably kept out by Ospina, who also had to be equal to a 20-yard free kick from Ken Sema.

Mkhitaryan curled a shot wide for Arsenal in added-on time but despite trailing by two goals, it was Ostersunds who had momentum heading into the break.

When the teams returned for the restart, the home side remained in the ascendancy but the chances dried up in front of goal, allowing Arsenal to eventually get back up the other end and effectively put the tie out of Ostersunds' reach.

Ozil picked up the ball around 30 yards from goal and after exchanging passes with Mkhitaryan, the German took a touch before firing the ball through Keita and into the net.

Ostersunds attempted to mount a response but unlike in the first half, they were unable to create any kind of a threat on the Arsenal goal, and the Gunners were content to play the ball around without showing much intent in the final third.

Elneny and Welbeck both sent long-range efforts off target and as Arsenal remained in control of the game, Arsene Wenger was able to introduce both Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah.

In added-on time, Ostersunds had the opportunity to score a consolation goal which would have kept the tie alive, but Ospina guessed right to save from Pettersson's penalty.

OSTERSUNDS FK (4-4-2): Keita; Mukiibi, Papagiannopoulos, Pettersson, Widgren (Bergqvist 73'); Edwards, Nouri (Tekie 46'), Mensah Sema; Ghoddos, Gero (Hopcutt 46')

ARSENAL XI (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Bellerin, Chambers, Mustafi, Monreal (Kolasinac 73'); Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan (Nelson 84'), Ozil; Welbeck (Nketiah 83')

ID:318795: cacheID:318795:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5611:
Written by
Darren Plant
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action during the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal on February 10, 2018
Read Next:
Wenger: 'We have to prove squad is stronger'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLazio761019
2Athletic Bilbao751116
3Frankfurt751116
4Man Utd743015
5Lyon742114
6Spurs742114
7Anderlecht742114
8FCSB742114
9Galatasaray734013
10Bodo/Glimt741213
11Olympiacos733112
12Plzen733112
13Rangers732211
14AZ732211
15Union SG732211
16Real Sociedad731310
17Ajax731310
18PAOK731310
19Midtjylland731310
20Elfsborg731310
21Roma72329
22Ferencvaros73049
23Fenerbahce72329
24Besiktas73049
25Porto72238
26FC Twente71427
27Braga72147
28Hoffenheim71336
29M. Tel Aviv72056
30RFS71245
31Slavia Prague71154
32Malmo71154
33Ludogorets70343
34Qarabag71063
35Nice70252
36Dynamo Kiev70161


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!