Arsenal threw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Anderlecht at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
The Gunners were ahead on 25 minutes when Mikel Arteta tucked away a penalty, before Alexis Sanchez volleyed home a second shortly after.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put Arsenal well and truly in command on the hour with his well-taken strike, but Anthony Vanden Borre then kick-started a memorable comeback, tapping home on 61 minutes and then pulling back a second from the spot.
Substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic was then on hand to head home an equaliser in the final minute of normal time to salvage a memorable Champions League Group D point for the visiting side.
Relive the action from the Emirates Stadium with Sports Mole's live commentary below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League Group D encounter between Arsenal and Anderlecht at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners needed two late goals to see off Anderlecht a fortnight ago in the reverse meeting, avoiding what would have been a huge upset in Brussels. Besnik Hasi's side come into this one with just one win in their last seven outings, although they have already shown Arsenal exactly what they are capable of.
Those late goals at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium ensured that are remain firmly en route to the knockout stages of this famous competition, although focus is very much on finishing top. If they are to do that then they will likely have to win all three of their remaining games, including the massive home tie against leaders Borussia Dortmund in the coming weeks.
There's plenty to get through between now and kickoff, so let's begin by taking a look at how these two sides line up this evening...
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck
SUBSTITUTES: Martinez, Bellerin, Flamini, Rosicky, Podolski, Walcott, Sanogo
The Gunners welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny tonight following his suspension last time out in the competition. It means that Emiliano Martinez, who filled in between the sticks in the absence of David Ospina, who is currently nursing an injury. Jack Wilshere has not featured for Arsenal in the last couple of weeks, and manager Arsene Wenger confirmed yesterday that the midfielder will also sit out this one.
Theo Walcott came on as a substitute in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Burnley on the weekend, playing his first 10 minutes since picking up a long-term injury in January, and he is on the bench again this evening. Laurent Koscielny is still missing, meanwhile, meaning that Nacho Monreal - shaky in this fixture two weeks ago - starts at the back.
Further up the field, Alexis Sanchez will look to continue his recent impressive form having settled in perfectly to his new surroundings since joining the club from Barcelona. Danny Welbeck scored a hat-trick earlier in this competition against Galatasaray, remember, and he will be out to find the target once more this evening. Yaya Sanogo and Lukas Podolski - the hero in Brussels - provide attacking options from the bench.
Well due to London's notorious traffic, the Anderlecht team have only arrived at the Emirates Stadium within the last 10 minutes or so, meaning that we are left to wait on their starting lineup for now. Not ideal preparation for a game in which the Purple & Whites have to win in order to remain in the competition.
It's not just in Europe that Anderlecht have struggled of late, either, winning just one of their last seven games in all competitions. A lot of that is down to drawing games, having only suffered their first league reverse of the campaign at the end of last month against Standard Liege.
ANDERLECHT TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Proto, Deschacht, Mbemba, Vanden Borre, Praet, Kljestan, Tielemans, Najar, Cyriac, Acheampong, Conte
SUBSTITUTES: Roef, Colin, Heylen, Kawaya, Kabasele, Dendoncker, Mitrovic
The Anderlecht team news has finally filtered through following their late arrival, and once more Aleksandar Mitrovic misses out on the starting lineup. The Serbian striker certainly knows how to find the net, scoring 15 goals in 34 games for Partizan Belgrade before making the move to Anderlecht where he scored 16 in 32 appearances in the league in his debut campaign. Six goals this campaign is clearly not enough for him to earn a starting spot, though, sitting out this one out just like he did two weeks ago.
The big news for the visitors is the fact that Steven Defour misses out with injury. The industrious midfielder damaged his calf against Lokeren, and fails to make the squad entirely. Bram Nuytinck and Fabrice N'Sakala also miss out for the Belgian champs, meanwhile, although Anthony Vanden Borre has returned to full fitness in recent weeks and is deemed ready to start from the off.
The reverse meeting in Brussels may have highlighted Arsenal's mental toughness to battle back when they looked completely out of the contest, although it also hinted that they can be rather naive at time on the European stage. Tonight's match, against an Anderlecht side with a poor record at this level, simply cannot be a banana skin moment for the Gunners.
For four seasons running now Wenger's charges have failed to top their group, which ultimately means a tougher game in the next round. The result? Four-successive round of 16 defeats against Bayern Munich (twice), Barcelona and AC Milan. As things stand the North London outfit are heading down the same route this time around, unless of course Dortmund slip up.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: That 2-1 victory for Arsenal a fortnight ago was the first meeting between the clubs at this level, although Anderlecht have plenty of experience of playing against English opposition - and it doesn't make good reading. In all they have lost seven of their eight games against Premier League teams, with the only reprieve coming in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
DID YOU KNOW? Anderlecht have reached this stage of the competition 11 times in all, including on successive-occasions in the past three campaigns. However, they have finished bottom of their group in all seven appearances since making the last 16 back in 2001. They have just four victories to their name stretching back throughout those seven group stage appearances.
That is what makes the reverse meeting so special. It had been a terrible first-half display for the neutral, with neither side able to muster a single shot on goal, but the final 20 minutes provided an incredible spectacle. In case you needed reminding; Najar's 71st minute goal was cancelled out by strikes from Kieran Gibbs and Lukas Posolski in the 89th and 91st minutes respectively, to salvage all three points for Arsenal.
But can we expect a different type of game tonight, with Arsenal in front of their own supporters? That is the theory, particularly with Sanchez in hot form and Aaron Ramsey looking to return to the level he was at throughout last season. Elsewhere in Group D, Dortmund host Galatasaray as they look to tighten their grip on top spot; three points for both them and the Gunners will set up a thrilling contest between the two later this month.
There's still a little under 10 minutes to go until kickoff, giving us a chance to look at what Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has had to say ahead of tonight's game.
"We have an opportunity [to qualify] maybe, because it depends on the result in the other game, but of course we play at home and we have an opportunity to win the game and we want to take this opportunity. We are on a good run and want to take advantage of that.
We respect [Anderlecht] because they gave us a tough game. We had a little bit of a miraculous win because we needed to go until the last minute – but that was also our quality in this game. We are warned, we have learnt a lot from the first game, and now at home we want to win again."
I think "miraculous win" sums it up pretty well, Arsene. Since that game in the Belgian capital, Arsenal have won in their last two outings - both in the Premier League - keeping successive clean sheets in the process. Another shutout in this one will all-but see the Gunners qualify through the group stages for the 15th time in a row.
PREDICTION: Arsenal find themselves in better form coming into tonight's game than they did in the reverse meeting two weeks ago, and I think that was a big factor in their near-shock defeat. If this one goes to plan then we should see some flowing moves from the home side, and a resounding win at the end of it. I'll go with 4-0.
Well the anthems are over, the players are ready and kickoff is now just a few seconds away.
KICKOFF! Arsenal get us underway at the Emirates Stadium, keeping hold of the ball early on as they look to break into the final third.
Plenty of noise coming from the away section at the moment, with around 3,200 travelling supporters. Arsenal are dominating the early stages on the field, meanwhile, just patiently looking to break down the opposition.
Gibbs is stationed well up the field at the moment, not so much a wing-back but more a left-sided forward! Cazorla's searching long ball didn't quite reach the Englishman, but he was picked out moments later, using his strength to get in the box only for his cross to be cut out.
Anderlecht earn the first corner of the evening, but the ball is well handled by Szczesny. All 10 of the home side's outfield players were back to defend, however, so there was no chance to break.
Arsenal look far more dangerous in the opening minutes here than they did pretty much throughout the 90 minutes in Brussels. A lot of the early play is coming down the flanks, although at the moment there is no way through.
CLOSE! Well that's the closest we have come to a goal in the opening 10 minutes, and it was the visitors who very nearly found the net. Praet's shot from distance deflected off Mertesacker and into the side-netting. Szczesny was beaten had it been a few inches to the right.
That previous attack came about after Welbeck gave away possession. Arsenal look dangerous when they are on the ball, getting players into advanced areas. When they lose it however, it often leads to worrying moments.
CLOSE! Best moment of the match so far for Arsenal, as Ramsey's shot from close range is blocked over. Oxlade-Chamberlain started the move on the right, although the move had looked to have broken down until Chambers picked out Ramsey. The Welshman's shot was superbly blocked by Mbemba from a few yards out, however, and the resulting corner kick came to nothing.
Arsenal have enjoyed 74% of possession in the opening 15 minutes or so, but they have been unable to make it count thus far. Nothing to be concerned about at this stage, as long as they can maintain the tempo. It must be said that Anderlecht themselves look strong when they push forward.
SAVE! Szczesny produces a brilliant save to deny Kljestan's breaking the deadlock. Arsenal may have enjoyed more of the ball, but it is the away side asking the real questions in an attacking sense. Cyriac lofted a ball into the box which Mertesacker could only half clear, and Kljestan took the ball beyond Gibbs to find himself through on goal, but could not find the net with Szczesny making himself big.
Ramsey carelessly gives away the ball in midfield, and straight away Praet looks to get the ball forward. As it is Mertesacker was across to cut out the chance, but it was two-on-two for a moment. Arsenal must be far more careful.
OFF THE POST! Alexis is picked out by Chambers inside the area, and despite being forced into a wide position inside the box, he still gets away a shot which rattles the post. Welbeck wanted the ball played across the box to him, but the form the Chilean is in, you can't really blame him there.
PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
Alexis plays a reverse pass into the feet of Welbeck, who is brought down inside the area by Mbema. An easy decision for referee Clemnt Turpin, and a chance for Arsenal to edge ahead from the spot...
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 ANDERLECHT (ARTETA)
Arteta makes no mistake, just dinking the ball down the middle. That goal will see Arsenal settle down a little now, because the best chance of the game up until that point had fallen to the Belgian outfit. Momentum now very much with the hosts.
Alexis goes on a terrific run from one end of the field to the other, driving past a number of Anderlecht players before cutting onto his left foot, but he is brought down on the edge of the 18-yard box. A chance for Arsenal to extend their lead with Cazorla and Alexis stood over the ball...
GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 ANDERLECHT (ALEXIS)
Well it was his bursting drive forward that created the free kick, and Alexis duly converted at the second attempt to double his side's advantage. The initial effort was blocked away by the wall, but on the volley the Chile international smashed the ball home from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.
Anderlecht just need to keep their shape at the back now, keeping the game tight up until half time when they can regroup. It looked like it was going to be one of those games in which Arsenal perhaps came undone once more, but when you have a player of Alexis Sanchez' quality among your ranks, winning these sorts of games becomes far easier.
CHANCE! Another real opening for the visitors comes and goes. Praet was gifted a chance to get a shot away on goal in a decent position, but he delayed and his effort was eventually blocked by Chambers. Not game over quite yet.
Well this has been far more entertaining first half than the previous meeting between the two. Oxlade-Chamberlain burst down the left before getting a low cross into the box in the latest half-chance, although it was cut out just before Welbeck could latch onto it.
SHOT! Chamberlain has moved onto the left-hand side permanently now, and he is involved once more, striking from around 25 yards when picked out by Ramsey's delicious back-heeled pass. The shot didn't trouble Proto, though, with the scoreline remaining at 2-0.
SAVE! Alexis and Welbeck are linking up very well, and the former's ball over the top to his teammate leads to another decent opportunity. The England international was perhaps put off a little by Mbemba who did well to close in, failing to get the better of Proto from a tight angle.
UPDATE: Marco Reus has given Dortmund a 1-0 lead over Galatasaray, meaning that as it stands BVB and Arsenal will advance through to the next round. It's all but winning the group, though, so Arsenal must remain focused.
Another smart piece of play from Sanchez sees Arsenal cause panic once more. He flicked a set piece into the centre of the area with his head, but Welbeck couldn't quite latch onto it. He is at the heart of everything Arsenal are doing.
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 2-0 ANDERLECHT
Referee Clement Turpin brings the first half to a close, and it has been a good opening 45 minutes for the home side. Anderlecht have looked lively on the break, particularly at 0-0 when they created the game's best opening which Kljestan failed to convert, but Arsenal have largely been in control
Alexis was at the heart of all things good for the Gunners, playing in Welbeck which led to the penalty kick, before volleying home the second from the edge of the box four minutes later. The Purple & Whites have shown enough to suggest that this one is not quite over yet, although you would be a brave man to bet against Wenger's men right now.
MATCH STATS: In terms of possession, Arsenal have enjoyed 67% of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, firing away three shots on target. The visitors have tested Szczesny just once, meanwhile, but what a brilliant chance it was. The Gunners boast a pass rate of 89%; Anderlecht 78%.
Just a reminder - as things stand both Arsenal and Dortmund will advance through to the round of 16 tonight, setting up an intriguing meeting later this month between the two.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! We're back underway in North London, and there's news of a change to bring you. Anderlecht youth product Andy Kawaya has been introduced for the second half in place of Conte.
SHOT! A big early chance for Arsenal goes begging, as Sancez and Cazorla combine to feed in Gibbs whose shot is blocked by Acheampong, as is Oxlade-Chamberlain's follow-up from close range. It looked to be heading for the back of the net if not for the full-back's intervention. Positive start from the hosts nonetheless.
Sanchez very nearly creates something out of nothing, but his flick on the edge of the box doesn't quite lead to an opening. As ever at 2-0 the next goal is going to be vital, and at this moment in time it only looks to be heading one way.
Mbemba has been reviving treatment for the last couple of minutes on the field, and unfortunately his night looks to be over. The Belgian's are also without Bram Nuytinck who is suffering with a toe injury, meaning that they are particularly lightweight at the back right now.
ANDERLECHT SUB: The visitors forced into making their second sub of the evening less than 10 minutes into the second half, then, as Mbemba limps off in place of another youngster - Leander Dendoncker.
CHANCE! Some fine play by Ramsey down the left sees Oxlade-Chamberlain played in, and his lofted is met a few yards from goal by Welbeck, but the former Manchester United man can't keep his header down. Good play, but no end product on this occasion.
A loose ball finds its way to Aaron Ramsey inside the box, but instead of hitting it first time he looks to pick out Welbeck only for the ball to be cleared away. The Welshman is playing as a second striker at the moment.
GOAL! ARSENAL 3-0 ANDERLECHT (OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN)
A fine goal from Oxlade-Chamberlain who has put the game beyond Anderlecht with his side's third of the evening. He ghosted past Vanden Borre into the box, tucking the ball beyond Proto brilliantly with a curled-effort into the bottom corner. No last-minute recovery mission needed tonight.
ARSENAL 3-1 ANDERLECHT (VANDEN BORRE)
Or have I spoken a little too soon? Well at the very least Arsenal have let another clean sheet slip from their fingers, as Anthony Vanden Borre taps home. Kawaya did brilliantly to create the goal, getting a ball in from the left which allowed the former Portsmouth man to break the deadlock for his side. It perhaps shouldn't have stood, though, because he looked to be a yard offside.
SUBS: Mathieu Flamini is on in place of the injured Arteta for the hosts, while Anderlecht have turned to star striker Mitrovic in place of Cyriac. He has scored a bagful of goals in recent seasons, but has been overlooked in recent weeks due to his apparent weight issues.
The visitors really given it all now, winning a corner after Kawya's cross was cleared away again. All the noise coming from the away section, but can their side find a second? That will really set up a thrilling finale.
Praet switches it fantastically which allow Kawya to put the ball into a dangerous area. Mitrovic was waiting to pounce in similar fashion to Vanden Borre a few minutes ago, but Flamini played the ball behind for a corner. Arsenal holding on at the moment.
CHANCE! It looks as though the Gunners have managed to see out the spell of Anderlect pressure, driving forward themselves once more. A corner into the area was met well by Welbeck in the air from close range, but he headed the ball straight into the hands of Proto.
Welbeck works the channels well, picking out Oxlade-Chamberlain inside the area, but the Englishman's flick couldn't quite reach Sanchez. Good play, just a shame about the end product.
PENALTY TO ANDERLECHT!
GOAL! ARSENAL 3-2 ANDERLECHT (VANDEN BORRE)
Incredible. Arsenal looked to be running away with this a little over 10 minutes ago, but it is now 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium. A lofted ball into the box from Kljestan was brought down by Mitrovic, and he was tugged down by Monreal inside the area. It could have been a red for the makeshift centre-back, but referee Clement Turpin showed him just a yellow. From the resulting pen Vanden Borren tucked the ball home to give the visitors real hope.
SAVE! Well we could be in for a finale to match the one we saw a fortnight ago in Brussels. Arsenal are still getting men forward, they are not panicking just yet, with Cazorla driving a shot goalwards which forces Proto into action.
Mitrovic has offered a real presence inside the box since being introduced. You shouldn't really have to score four goals to win a game against a side of Anderlecht's European calibre, but that may be the case as the Belgian club continue to push in search of a third.
SAVE! Tielman's opts to shoot from a free kick around 30 yards from goal, and it was by no means a bad effort, forcing Szczesny into handling the ball down low.
Fantastic defending from Gibbs, who has stopped Anderlecht from levelling up. A ball into the box was heading straight for the head of Najar just a few yards from goal, until the full-back intercepted in the air to put the ball behind. Arsenal are on the back foot with 10 minutes to go in North London.
DOUBLE ARSENAL SUBSTITUTION: Oxlade-Chamberlain and Welbeck are replaced with Rosicky and Podolski coming on. Arsene Wenger needed to change something, and the fresh legs may help to arrest the pressure.
Arsenal lose the ball on the edge of the opposition box, and Anderlecht looked to hit them on the break, if not for Tielman's misplaced long ball. Can the visitors create one more chance?
CHANCE! ...They certainly can! By no means the best chance of the game, but Acheampong is given space to get a shot away inside the area, which looked to graze the crossbar on its way over. So, so close. How has it reached this point for Arsenal?
Flamini is a lucky man. Acheampong was charging through before the Frenchman halted his run, but the referee deemed - wrongly, in my opinion - that he got the ball. Five minutes remaining.
YELLOW CARD! Kljestan shoves Rosicky over, which not only leads to a booking but allows Arsenal to take some sting out of the game.
Ramsey takes the free kick from range, striking it well off target. Can the Purple & Whites regain some momentum as we enter the closing stages of the contest?
Arsenal just happy to control the game at the moment, not allowing Anderlecht to put together any attacking moves.
GOAL! ARSENAL 3-3 ANDERLECHT (MITROVIC)
OH MY! Najar whips a superb ball into the middle of the box, which lively substitute Mitrovic heads beyond Szczesny. The most worrying thing from an Arsenal perspective? We have three minutes left to play...
Anderlecht have well and truly avenged that late defeat from two weeks ago now. Absolutely incredible. Arsenal we cruising at 3-0 with an hour played; it's not 3-3 with two minutes of added time to go.
YELLOW CARD! Vanden Borre enters the referee's book. Arsenal have a free kick around 25 yards from goal at a tight angle. A shot looks out of the question, but a good delivery could win it...
Cazorla's free kick is headed away, and that is that at the Emirates Stadium!
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 3-3 ANDERLECHT
Clement Turpin blows for full time, ending an incredible 90 minutes of action. Well what that means is that Arsenal have not yet officially qualified. I'm sure supporters won't lose any sleep over that, but it also means Dortmund are now five points clear in first place.
Dortmund can now lose at the Emirates Stadium in three weeks' time and they will still be in control of their own destiny. Arsenal well and truly the victims of their own downfall.
Well that's all from me this evening, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you all the reaction from North London, as well as player ratings and analysis.
