Arsenal progressed to the last 32 of the Europa League as Group F winners after late goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka rescued a 2-2 draw at Standard Liege.
The Gunners only needed to avoid defeat by five goals to book their spot in the knockout stages, but for much of the night they were heading to Monday’s draw as an unseeded team after Standard Liege took a two-goal lead thanks to deflected strikes in the second half from Samuel Bastien (47) and Selim Amallah (69).
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With Eintracht Frankfurt leading Vitoria Guimaraes 2-1 until the 85th minute in the group’s other game, second spot was looking likely for Arsenal, but goals from Lacazette (78) and Saka (81), coupled with Vitoria’s late turnaround in Germany to win 3-2, saw Freddie Ljungberg’s side rescue a point and reclaim top spot.
The result means Arsenal, who face Manchester City live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday, will be seeded for Monday’s last-32 draw in Nyon, while Standard Liege, who needed to win to have any chance of progressing, exit the competition.
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Backed by their passionate home support, Standard Liege, who knew they needed a win to stand any chance of progressing to knockout stages, started brightly but most of Arsenal’s problems came from their own doing.
Konstantinos Mavropanos’ slack pass gifted possession to Mehdi Carcela on the edge of the penalty area, but luckily for the Gunners the Standard Liege forward scuffed his shot straight into the arms of Emiliano Martinez.
Source:Â skysports.com