Wednesday 5 November 2014 09:58, UK
Arsenal's hopes of finishing top of Champions League Group D were dealt a huge blow as they gave up a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Anderlecht.
The Gunners looked to be in complete control of the contest as a penalty from Mikel Arteta and strikes from Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put them 3-0 ahead before the hour mark.
But two goals in 10 minutes from Anthony Vanden Borre pulled the visitors back into the contest before substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute.
Arsene Wenger’s side are now five points behind group leaders Borussia Dortmund with just two games left to play.
Worringly for the Gunners there were signs in the early stages that they were not going to have it all their own way as they endured some nervy moments before taking the lead.
Anderlecht, who didn’t arrive at the Emirates until 45 minutes before kick-off due to heavy traffic, nearly capitalised on a couple of careless early mistakes from the hosts. Frank Acheampong saw a shot blocked by Calum Chambers and, after another threatening counter attack, Dennis Praet’s deflected effort hit the side netting with Wojciech Szczesny stranded.
Aaron Ramsey went closest at the other end as his shot from eight yards out was deflected over the bar but Anderlecht almost got the breakthrough in the 16th minute as Sacha Kljestan nicked the ball past Kieran Gibbs in the box but was denied by a sprawling Szczesny.
The save looked as though it would prove pivotal as the Gunners soon started to assert their authority. After Alexis smacked the post from a tight angle, the hosts won a penalty midway through the half when Chancel Mbemba brought down Danny Welbeck in the box. Arteta made no mistake from the spot as he coolly placed his effort down the middle.
Minutes later it was 2-0 as Alexis netted Arsenal’s 500th goal at the Emirates. The Chilean won a free-kick on the edge of the box after a brilliant run and then continued his superb goalscoring form by lashing a volley into the bottom corner after his initial effort hit the wall.
Welbeck almost made it 3-0 before the break as he broke clear but a fine recovery tackle from Mbemba denied him just as he pulled the trigger.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take Arsenal long to add to their lead after half-time as Oxlade-Chamberlain curled a fine shot into the far corner shortly before the hour mark.
At that stage it didn't look a question of whether the Gunners would win, but how many they would win by.
But Anderlecht had other ideas and they soon pulled a goal back when a ball across the six-yard box was tapped in by a wide open Vanden Borre, who was at least a yard offside.
The goal gave the visitors renewed hope and they were soon celebrating again as substitute Mitrovic was dragged down in the box by Nacho Monreal and Vanden Borre converted the penalty.
Welbeck and Alexis both went close for Arsenal before the goal but at 3-2 the momentum was firmly with the Belgians and they grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the final minute of normal time to snatch a point.
Andy Najar whipped in a fantastic ball from the right wing and Mitrovic beat his marker to head past Szczesny.
Arsenal could not rouse themselves in added time and the final whistle was greeted with boos around the Emirates as the realisation of another second-place finish set in.
