ARSENAL have it all to do in Prague after letting in a last minute away goal.
Nicolas Pepe thought he had sent the Gunners to the Czech capital with a lead but Tomas Holes headed in an equaliser in stoppage time.
THAT’s ALL FOR TONIGHT
Join us again here at SunSport for the second leg in Prague next week and as it stands, it’s advantage Slavia Prague!
Arsenal have a lot of work to do.
Goodnight.
CZECH MATE
ARSENAL’s Europa League ambitions are hanging in the balance after conceding a disastrous stoppage-time equaliser.
Mikel Arteta thought his team had grabbed a crucial late lifeline when substitute Nicolas Pepe forced an 86th-minute breakthrough.
But Arsenal’s record signing undid all his good work when he failed to clear a last-gasp Slavia corner to allow defender Tomas Holes to head in at the back post.
It was an absolute sickener for Arteta, who had been hoping that the backlash from Saturday’s Liverpool humiliation would be “the big punch in the face” that his team required.
Read More: Arsenal 1 Slavia Prague 1 Match Report
ARTETA’s THOUGHTS
Mikel Arteta gave his thoughts to BT Sport after the game: “The game was under control.
“then we played two or three balls that we shouldn’t do and then we conceded the corner.
“They put a lot of big boys in there and then anything can happen.
“The final result leaves a difficult taste. But the mindset is to go there and win the game.”
LEAKY BACKLINE
Arsenal haven’t kept a clean sheet since January.
LATE DRAMA
Holes heads past Leno to score a stoppage time equaliser!
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Here’s the results from other Europa League games around Europe:
- Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague FT
- Granada 0-2 Man Utd FT
- Ajax 1-2 Roma FT
- Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Villarreal FT
FULL-TIME STATS
An action packed second half gave as two goals and LOTS of shots!
FT: ARSENAL 1-1 SLAVIA PRAGUE
WOW!
What a second half of football filled with late goals and late drama!
Pepe thought he scored the winner after racing onto Aubameyang’s through ball and lifting the ball over Kolar and into the back of the net.
But Slavia Prague fought back late on to score a VITAL away goal – Holes was the man to get the goal.
It’s advantage Slavia heading into next week’s second leg in Prague – the away goal could prove to be the difference.
If next week’s game ends 0-0, Slavia Prague will go through to face either Villarreal or Dinamo Zagreb.
PEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES AT THE EMIRATES!
ADVANTAGE SLAVIA HEADING INTO NEXT WEEK!
ARSENAL 1-1 SLAVIA PRAGUE
90+2. Masopust slips the ball through to Provod at a tight angle and the midfielder sends a venomous strike towards goal forcing Leno to tip the shot onto the post!
Slavia win a corner which is delivered towards the far post, Holes rises highest and sends a powerful header straight at Leno who can’t stop the ball from crossing the line!
Unbelievable scenes at the Emirates!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
SLAVIA PRAGUE EQUALISE IN STOPPAGE TIME!!!!!!!
SLAVIA HAVE AN AWAY GOAL!!!!!!!!!
ARSENAL 1-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
90. Four minutes to be added on at the end of the second half.
ARSENAL 1-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
88. SUBSTITUTION!
Ceballos is on for the last few minutes in place of Smith Rowe.
ARSENAL 1-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
86. Xhaka plays a long ball forward which Aubameyang manages to bring down.
The Arsenal club captain spots the run of Pepe in behind Slavia Prague’s backline.
Pepe breaks into the penalty area and lifts the ball over Kolar and into the back of the net!
Arsenal find a way through late on!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLL!!!!
PEPE SCORES FOR ARSENAL!!!!
ARSENAL FIND A WAY THROUGH SLAVIA!!!!
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
85. SUBSTITUTION!
Olayinka is off for Traore.
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
83. SUBSTITUTION!
Stanciu’s night comes to an end and he is replaced by Masopust.
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
82. Fresh legs for Arsenal has added some much needed threat at the top end of the pitch.
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
80. Holding wins possession back for Arsenal in a promising area and lays the ball wide to Pepe.
The winger cuts inside and plays the ball into the path of Martinelli on the edge of Slavia Prague’s penalty area.
The young forward shifts the ball onto his left foot and sends a dipping shot towards goal, but Kolar tips the ball over.
Arsenal corner.
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
77. TRIPLE SUBSTITUTION!
Saka, Lacazette and Partey make way for Aubameyang, Elneny and Pepe.
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
76. END TO END!
Kuchta breaks away down the left-hand side and cuts the ball back towards the edge of the six yard box.
Cedric mishits his clearance and the ball falls to Sevcik.
The midfielder opens up his body and sends a right footed strike agonisingly wide of the post!
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
74. CHANCE!
Lacazette spins away from his marker close to the touchline, cuts inside and plays the ball across the penalty area.
Saka tees up Partey on the edge of the box and the Ghana midfielder sends a first-time strike towards goal but his effort goes wide of the post!
Arsenal are getting closer.
ARSENAL 0-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
72. SUBSTITUTION!
Willian’s evening comes to an end with as little as 20 minutes left to play, and he is replaced by fellow countryman Martinelli.
Big chance for the young forward who has been plagued with injuries as of late.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
