Arsenal got off to a winning start in their maiden Europa League group stage campaign as they came from behind to beat FC Koln 3-1 at Emirates on Thursday.
The early stages of the night was highly frustrating for the home fans, as after a delayed start due to crowd trouble outside the stadium, Koln went on to grab the lead inside the first ten minutes as Jhon Cordoba struck a fantastic long-range goal from 40 yards out.
The frustration kept on mounting as Arsenal were unable to find the equaliser by half time. The hosts, though, turned things around quickly in the second half. Substitute Sead Kolasinac levelled things up with a smart close-range finish, before Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal the lead from a stunning 25-yard strike.
The win was then rounded off when Hector Bellerin scored from close range. But, Sanchez was the toast of fans as he opened his account for the season in style to set the hosts up for a resounding win.
Alexis Sanchez has scored more goals (10) than any other Arsenal player in European competition since joining in 2014.
He’s back. ? pic.twitter.com/FADJsbPXCs
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 14, 2017
Alexis Sanchez has contributed to 115 goals (73 goals, 42 assists) in 147 appearances since joining Arsenal. #afc pic.twitter.com/Saxy1YiimX
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 14, 2017
Alexis Sanchez with an absolute beauty. #afc pic.twitter.com/CNqjxl5i69
— Arsenal (@AFCvideosHD_) September 14, 2017
Good morning guys. Sanchez his back to his form and good results for the gunners but coting me down arsenal will the Europa league title
— Rasak Arshavin (@RasakArshavin) September 15, 2017
Alexis Sanchez goal was just amazing.
— Arsenal Related ⚽? (@ArsenalsRelated) September 14, 2017
Alexis Sanchez with an absolute beauty of a goal. Get in.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) September 14, 2017
Still our main man @Alexis_Sanchez
— Pablo (@AFCAMDEN) September 14, 2017
2-1! Sanchez! He’s back!
— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) September 14, 2017
Sead Kolasinac, too, was praised for his contributions after coming on at half-time, with fans delighted by his addition to the squad.
Message to FC Koln so called supporters
Behave yourselves or feel the force of @seadk6 ??????????? pic.twitter.com/B4sEz7UK5W— ?⚪️Gooner Kev⚪️? (@kevdavis736) September 14, 2017
If only Arsenal had 11 Kolasinacs! Best Arsenal signing for years.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) September 14, 2017
45th minute;
Sead Kolasinac comes on.49th minute:
Sead Kolasinac scores.Best free transfer since Sol Campbell.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) September 14, 2017
Kolasinac has arrived outside the Emirates pic.twitter.com/6BKERRO4zA
— Bergkamp & Bergkamp (@Orangeiceman10) September 14, 2017
Kolasinac revealed a Schalke jersey to the Koln fans when he scored. What a hero. pic.twitter.com/Ubm7TNQzdB
— Renato (@th14Renato) September 14, 2017
What a strike from Kolasinac, the change has worked 1-1 ?⚽#ARSCOL #AFCKOL pic.twitter.com/VcNDkuKK4P
— Ali (@Alimacpali786) September 14, 2017
Sead Kolasinac
Five games
Two goals
Two assistsFree transfer pic.twitter.com/0P8Cp7ZXHy
— ? FA Cup Winners ? (@tomgunner14) September 14, 2017
But, Theo Walcott was not spared by fans after an underwhelming performance on the night.
Theo Walcott is the most useless player ever.
— Arsenaloholic (@ArsenalohoIic) September 14, 2017
“Sum Theo Walcott up in 7 seconds”
Me: pic.twitter.com/hkV1C6rbXB
— Mike Sanz (@mikesanz19) September 14, 2017
Let’s take a look at Theo Walcott’s first-half highlights… pic.twitter.com/jCMaJYjWdV
— BenchWarmers ⚽️ (@BeWarmers) September 14, 2017
Just a quick reminder that Theo Walcott earns £140,000 per week but doesn’t understand the offside rule
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) September 14, 2017
A few years ago we were terrified of losing Walcott for free. Now he’s on a long term deal & Ozil & Sanchez are going for free. This club…
— S (@attwood10) September 14, 2017
Walcott loses more balls than the entire unsullied army #AFCvCOL
— DB10 (@ArsenalizeIt) September 14, 2017
Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere was welcomed back with open arms after he made his first appearance for Arsenal in well over a year.
Delighted to see jack back out there. Really offers something different in Cazorla’s absence, hoping he can stay fit & kick on #AFC
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) September 14, 2017
I’ve accepted the fact that we’ll be lucky to get ten games out of Wilshere, but those that he does feature in, it’ll be champagne football.
— FK³ (@fkhanage) September 14, 2017
Wilshere makes a return and thousands of people scramble to enter the stadium, coincidence? I think not.
— JG (@HighburyJoe) September 14, 2017
Cologne fans came to see a Wilshere masterclass. Cant be surprised they riot when hes not starting
— EmanDaGoon (@EmanDaGoonn) September 14, 2017
Amazing how the quick passing moves started to appear again once Jack Wilshere came on! ?#Arsenal
— Carl Bövis ⚽ (@CarlBovis_AFC) September 14, 2017
First that dummy, now a filthy backheel pass. Jack Wilshere is sharp.pic.twitter.com/nfbXSrve6G
— Mahmoud Jaber (@MahmuudJaber) September 14, 2017