Arsenal 0-0 Red Star Belgrade: Bore draw at the Emirates seals qualification into Europa League Round of 32 but leaves little to be inspired by

  • Arsenal qualify for the Europa League knockout rounds with two games to spare in Group H
  • The Gunners needed only a point against Red Star Belgrade but went out looking to beat the Serbian side
  • Arsene Wenger rested star names Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil ahead of league tie against Manchester City
By MATT BARLOW FOR THE DAILY MAIL 
PUBLISHED: 21:59 GMT, 2 November 2017 | UPDATED: 23:58 GMT, 2 November 2017

Having launched their Europa League campaign amid the disorder of 20,000 uninvited Cologne fans Arsenal tip-toed into the knock-out stage of the competition before rows of unoccupied seats at the Emirates Stadium.
The official attendance of 58,285 was fooling no-one and, despite the best efforts of the boisterous Red Star fans, the soporific mood bled onto the pitch where Arsene Wenger's young team lacked the power to inflict any damage.
The biggest cheer of the night from Arsenal's supporters came when goalkeeper Milan Borjan lost his footing while attempting a quick throw in the first-half.
Who knew, at the time, it would be the pinnacle of the evening entertainment. 
Olivier Giroud looks on in frustration after missing an opportunity to score for Arsenal during the second half of the match
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Olivier Giroud looks on in frustration after missing an opportunity to score for Arsenal during the second half of the match
Jack Wilshere asks questions of his Arsenal team-mates after an attacking move breaks down as the first half continues
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Jack Wilshere asks questions of his Arsenal team-mates after an attacking move breaks down as the first half continues
Arsenal's Matthew Macey makes a save from Red Star Belgrade's Vujadin Savic to keep his clean sheet intact
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Arsenal's Matthew Macey makes a save from Red Star Belgrade's Vujadin Savic to keep his clean sheet intact
Arsenal's Wilshere tries to score against Red Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan during a Europa League Group H match
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Arsenal's Wilshere tries to score against Red Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan during a Europa League Group H match
Red Star Belgrade players go over to the travelling supporters after sealing an important point at the Emirates Stadium
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Red Star Belgrade players go over to the travelling supporters after sealing an important point at the Emirates Stadium
Arsene Wenger cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his Arsenal side failed to break Red Star Belgrade down
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Arsene Wenger cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his Arsenal side failed to break Red Star Belgrade down

MATCH FACTS, LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE 

Arsenal: Macey 6.5; Debuchy 6, Elneny 6, Holding 6; Nelson 6, Willock 6 (Nketiah 68, 6), Coquelin 5, Maitland-Niles 5; Walcott 5, Giroud 5 Wilshere 6.5.
Subs not used: Cech, Osei-Tutu, Sheaf, Dasilva, Mcguane, Akpom.
Bookings: Holding
Manager: Arsene Wenger 5
Red Star Belgrade: Borjan 6.5; Stojkovic 6, Savic 7, Le Tallec 7.5, Gobeljic 6; Krsticic 6.5, Donald 6; S.Srnic 6 (Racic 76), Kanga 5 (Milic 70), Radonjic 5 (Pesic 88); Boakye 5.
Subs not used: Supic, Adzic, babic, Frimpong.
Manager: Vladan Milojevic 6
Referee: Luca Banti
Attendance: 58,285
Jack Wilshere's heatmap is brought to you by Sportsmail's Match Zone service.
Jack Wilshere's heatmap is brought to you by Sportsmail's Match Zone service.
Red Star came to defend deep and were quick and dangerous on the break, with striker Richmond Boakye squandering a couple of glorious chances.
They found Matt Macey, Arsenal's third-choice goalkeeper, in determined mood. Macey made one splendid save in the first-half to deny Vujadin Savic and another vital intervention soon after the interval when he touched a skidding cross to safety.
With nine points already in the bag and Manchester City and Tottenham on the horizon, Wenger took no risks with any of his first-teamers.

REMAINING FIXTURES 

23 NOV - Cologne vs Arsenal; BATE vs Red Star
7 DEC - Arsenal vs BATE; Red Star vs Cologne
As it turned out a point, was enough to secure progress to the last 32 because, in Germany, Cologne were collecting their first points of the campaign with a win against BATE Borisov.
As BATE and Red Star still have to meet, it is impossible for two teams to overtake Arsenal's haul of 10 points at the top of Group H.
Red Star may have won the European Cup but they celebrated this stalemate wildly at the final whistle as the scattering home fans still left inside the Emirates mixed groans and jeers, which seemed to annoy some of the Arsenal players. 
Red Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan, left, jumps for the ball besides Arsenal striker Giroud as other players look on
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Red Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan, left, jumps for the ball besides Arsenal striker Giroud as other players look on
Red Star Belgrade's Serbian striker Nemanja Radonjic (L) vies with Arsenal's young midfielder Reiss Nelson
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Red Star Belgrade's Serbian striker Nemanja Radonjic (L) vies with Arsenal's young midfielder Reiss Nelson
Arsenal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin (L) takes down Red Star Belgrade's Gabonese midfielder Guelor Kanga
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Arsenal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin (L) takes down Red Star Belgrade's Gabonese midfielder Guelor Kanga
'People supported the team,' said Wenger. 'We didn't see goals and they are used to seeing goals at the Emirates.
'It's frustrating that we didn't score but we understand with young players in the team. It's part of the learning process for them to play these games. We will continue with the rotation because we want to play in every competition.
'Overall, lacked a bit of quality, vision, in the final ball, to find the right space and overall it's a fair 0-0.'
Red Star deserved to return to Serbia with a point. Their fans supplied the noise and their players brought the spirit, typified by goalkeeper Borjan who made two good saves from Olivier Giroud in the first-half. 
Arsenal's Carabao Cup hero Eddie Nketiah comes on as a substitute to replace Jo Willock with 22 minutes remaining
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Arsenal's Carabao Cup hero Eddie Nketiah comes on as a substitute to replace Jo Willock with 22 minutes remaining
Giroud attempts to break the deadlock with a shot from inside the Red Star Belgrade penalty area
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Giroud attempts to break the deadlock with a shot from inside the Red Star Belgrade penalty area
Arsenal dominated after the interval without creating much and wearing patience triggered two desperate penalty appeals. The first for an alleged trip on Jack Wilshere and the second for a handball against Savic. Referee Luca Banti was quite correct to ignore them both.
Wilshere was the brightest and most likely to find a way through, jinking and hustling and did beat 'keeper Borjan late in the game, only to see Damien Le Tallec hook his shot clear from the goal line.
'If you can't win the game, don't lose it,' said Wilshere. 'We're not delighted with a point but we'll take it. We'll learn from this. We want to win the group. I'm enjoying my football and being back in an Arsenal shirt.' 
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Mathieu Debuchy complains to the referee after he was fouled by a Red Star Belgrade player during the second half
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Mathieu Debuchy complains to the referee after he was fouled by a Red Star Belgrade player during the second half
Red Star Belgrade fans show support for their team with a colourful mosaic in the stands just before the game kicks off
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Red Star Belgrade fans show support for their team with a colourful mosaic in the stands just before the game kicks off
 

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Most boring team ever. Red Star 1 Arsenal 0 European Cups.
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Tottenham beat Real Madrid 3-1 in champion league, while Arsenal tied with Red Star Belgrade in Europa...
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Anything else you need to tell us that everyone already knows?
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And what did Tottenham win with their 3-1 victory - the same as Arsenal with their 0-0 draw. Of course, I'm forgetting that Tottenham played with their full team against the worst Real side seen in the last 20 years, while Arsenal packed their squad with 17 and 18 year old boys against one of the most physical sides in Europe. The was not even the Arsenal reserve side . it was mostly the under-18 team. We'll see what Arsenal are made of in their next three matches.
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This was a boring match. Red Star looked more impressive and Arsenal looked disorganised. I am not sold on some of these youngsters. Maitland Miles is a ball hog.
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1st eleven red star vs arsenal reserves..0-0...COYG..
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arsenal belongs to this level. They are good for nothing.
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And you belong in the Arizona desert halfwit
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You belong to the desert LOL how is this an insult??? 
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Now Giroud know he belongs to the reserve team.
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No wonder you name is Kalvin, dimwit!
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I wonder what happened to those spectacular youngsters, Walcott & Wilshere?. I know, they are still waiting to show their true potential. Maybe one day.
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This season Wenger has used a 3rd string in Europa and league cup, resting players in the league, and hasn't lost. No other team has had that luxury. Good chance against City I think. 
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Stop dribbling.
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ARsenal beat City 3-0 and follow up with easy victory over Spurs ! Oops sorry I just woke up , better have a few more pills before the men in white coats turn up!
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Arsenal through but still another crack from DM.
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Typical arsenal fans, dish it out but can¿t take it.
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The DM can't do anything else. They are anti-Arsenal in everything. They scream about giving young players a chance in the PL, and when Arsenal do that they downgrade them for a 0-0 draw against one of the toughest teams in Europe. Well done you Arsenal youngsters. Jack Wilshere must get back into the first team. His creation abilities are second to none.
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