Arsenal travelled to Bulgaria knowing that a win would see them qualify for the last 16. With a showdown on the horizon with French giants PSG, the Gunners needed the 3 points to stand them in good stead. 2 weeks on since they thumped Ludogorets 6-0 at the Emirates, you could be forgiven for thinking that Arsenal would win this one at a canter. That was not the case – not at all.
The Bulgarian side shocked the London side, bagging two quick-fire goals in minute 12 and 15. For the first goal, Arsenal were caught napping when a free kick was swung in and turned home. Then, Ludogorets countered, got the better of Kieran Gibbs before once again flashing the ball into the net. The shellshocked away side quickly regained their composure and the returning Granit Xhaka volleyed home Mesut Ozil’s cross, before Arsenal drew level with Olivier Giroud’s deft header past the hapless Ludogorets stopper.
In the second half, the game lost all its pace and rhythm. Arsenal looked leggy and a winner seemed more likely to come from the home side as they tested the solid David Ospina twice. The game was drawing to a close when substitute Mohamed Elneny played Ozil clean through. The German linked the keeper and then rounded two defenders before cooly slotting in the winner. What a goal.
Let’s look at the player ratings!
