Arsenal top group despite defeat to Cologne

Villarreal secure qualification as they edged a 3-2 thriller against FC Astana in Kazakhstan

FC Cologne kept their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League alive with a 1-0 victory over second-string Arsenal side yesterday. A penalty from Sehrou Guirassy on the hour mark was the difference maker for FC Cologne in a match which lacked many clear-cut chances.
Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stage as Group H winners despite yesterday's loss. Arsenal have 10 points from five games, four ahead of Cologne and Red Star Belgrade, who were held to a goalless draw by Bate Borisov.
Of the five defeats Arsene Wenger’s side have endured this season, this was the least damaging after qualifying for the last-16 stage with two games to spare. Wenger made eleven changes from the side that defeated Tottenham 2-0 in the North London derby, and it certainly showed with the already qualified Gunners failing to inspire, despite enjoying the majority of possession and chances in the match.
Cologne was content in the first half to sit back and let the visitors take the initiative. Jack Wilshere who has been a regular in the Europa League this campaign registered the first chance of note for the Gunners, however, his header was easily saved by keeper Timo Horn.
On the half-hour mark, Arsenal came close again to open the scoring, this time Coquelin was denied by the post in what would have been his first ever goal for the Gunners. A minute later, Danny Welbeck who came in to replace Theo Walcott saw his cross-come-shot flash past the far post.  Welbeck was replaced at half-time by Alex Iwobi and Arsenal continued to press the German side, who are currently rock bottom of the Bundesliga. On the hour mark, and against the run of play Cologne took the lead on a rare foray forward.  A sharp passing move saw Sehrou Guirassy burst into the penalty area before being bundled down by Debuchy, leaving the referee little choice but to point to the spot. The French striker stepped up and thumped his penalty past Ospina to give the Billy Goats the unlikeliest of leads.
Arsenal shook themselves into life after conceding and were able to create a couple of chances for an equaliser. The pick of which came from 17-year-old substitute Reiss Nelson, who skipped through the Cologne defence before seeing his shot pushed away by Timo Horn.
The full-time whistle was greeted by cheers by the FC Cologne fans who have kept their Europa League dreams alive. As for Arsenal, they have now lost their last four games in Germany and will turn their attention to an away encounter with Burnley in the Premier League.
Arsenal will close out Group H play on Dec. 7 against BATE, while Cologne battles Red Star Belgrade for a shot at reaching the Round of 32.
Elsewhere, Cedric Bakambu’s double helped Villarreal secure qualification as they edged a 3-2 thriller against FC Astana in Kazakhstan. Junior Kabananga opened the scoring for the hosts in the 22nd minute but Daniel Raba equalised six minutes before the break.
The lethal Bakambu, on as a substitute, hit a brace to send Villarreal clear before Patrick Twumasi netted in the 88th minute, setting up a frantic finale, but ultimately second place Astana could not peg back the Group A leaders.
Group L leaders Zenit St. Petersburg beat Sardar Skopje 2-1 to stay top, although Mikel Oyarzabal’s 90th minute strike for Real Sociedad helped them beat Rosenborg 1-0, secure qualification and give them a chance to progress as group winners if they beat Russians in the final game. Red Bull Salzburg qualified in style with a 3-0 win to ensure they will progress in first place from Group I, while 10-man Marseille, who are second, drew 1-1 with Konyaspor.
Athletic Bilbao launched a rousing comeback against Hertha Berlin in Group J to move second, with Inaki Williams’s 82nd minute goal earning them a 3-2 win. Leaders Oestersunds ensured their qualification with a 2-0 win over Zorya, who could still qualify if they beat Athletic in the final game. Lazio, already through as Group K winners before this round of fixtures, drew 1-1 with Vitesse, while Nice booked their place in the next round with a 3-1 win over Zulte-Waregem. Lokomotiv Moscow beat FC Copenhagen 2-1 to go top of Group F before FC Sheriff host Zlin. Already qualified Group G leaders Steua Bucharest failed to seal top spot after losing 2-0 against Viktoria Plzen, while Lugano beat Hapoel Beer Sheva 1-0 to keep their own hopes alive.

Europa League Results
Group A: Astana (KAZ) 2 (Kabananga 22, Twumasi 88) Villarreal (ESP) 3 (Raba 40, Bakambu 65, 83)
Group F: Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) 2 (Farfan 17, 51) FC Copenhagen (DEN) 1 (Verbic 31)
Group G: Lugano (SUI) 1 (Carlinhos 50) Hapoel Beer Sheva (ISR) 0; Viktoria Plzen (CZE) 2 (Petrzela 49, Kopic 76) FCSB (ROU) 0
Group H: BATE (BLR) 0 Red Star Belgrade (SRB) 0; Cologne (GER) 1 (Guirassy 62-pen) Arsenal (ENG) 0
Group I: Konyaspor (TUR) 1 (Skubic 82-pen) Marseille (FRA) 1 (Moke 90+3-og); Salzburg (AUT) 3 (Dabbur 26, Ulmer 45+1, Hwang 67) Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 0
Group J: Athletic Bilbao (ESP) 3 (Aduriz 35-pen, 66-pen, Williams 82) Hertha Berlin (GER) 2 (Leckie 26, Selke 36); Ostersund (SWE) 2 (Grechyshkin 40-og, Ghoddos 77) Zorya Luhansk (UKR) 0
Group K: Lazio (ITA) 1 (Alberto 42) Vitesse Arnhem (NED) 1 (Linssen 13); Nice (FRA) 3 (Balotelli 5-pen, 31, Tameze 86) Zulte Waragem (BEL) 1 (Hamalainen 80)
Group L: Rosenborg (NOR) 0 Real Sociedad (ESP) 1 (Oyarzabal 90); Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) 2 (Poloz 16, Rigoni 43) Vardar (MKD) 1 (Blazevski 90+3)