UEL: Arsenal 0-0 Red Star Belgrade

Giroud was unable to trouble the scoresheet

Arsenal confirmed their place in the Europa League knockout stages with a frustrating goalless draw against Red Star Belgrade.

The Gunners struggled to create many clear cut chances against their Serbian opponents, who once again proved tough to beat having been a difficult opponent in the reverse fixture.

However, courtesy of Cologne’s win over BATE Borisov elsewhere in the group, a draw was enough to see Arsene Wenger’s men through to the next round with two games of the group stages to spare.

Despite knowing a win would guarantee their place in the knockout stages, it was a sluggish start by the home side, who did not create an opening until the 11th minute. Ainsley Maitand-Niles showed some quick feet down the left before sending in a low cross for an unmarked Olivier Giroud to strike first time, forcing Milan Borjan in to a smart save.

Joe Wilcox then slipped in Giroud but on the stretch his attempt was easily blocked by Borjan.

Having been on the back foot for 35 minutes, Red Star eventually created two excellent chances to go ahead during the close stages of the first half. Firstly, Matt Macey, on only his second start for Arsenal, produced a world class save to stop Vujadin Savic scoring with his head, tipping it on to the bar from close range.

Richmond Boakye then wasted the best chance of the half when played through on goal, the Ghanian striker failing to even hit the target when one-on-one with Macey.

Arsenal upped the tempo after half-time and thought they had taken the lead when Jack Wilshere jinxed his way through the Red Star defence, only for Damien Le Tallec to produce a brilliant goal line clearance to keep the score level.

Boakye nearly provided a sting in the tale late on for the lacklustre Gunners as he missed another glorious opportunity when played through on the left of the penalty area, Red Star's topscorer failing to hit the target again.

The draw ends Arsenal’s 100 per cent start to the Europa League but Wenger will be happy to see his troops go through, giving him further opportunities to blood more youngsters in the remaining two matches.