Arsenal produced a late comeback to salvage three points against Anderlecht in a dramatic 2-1 victory in Brussels this evening.
Following a goalless first half in the Champions League Group D contest, both sides upped the tempo with Andy Najar firing the hosts ahead on 71 minutes.
A huge upset looked to be on the cards heading into the final minute of time, before Kieran Gibbs and substitute Lukas Podolski scored within two minutes of each other to rescue a valuable win for the Gunners.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the 90 minutes of action at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.
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ANDERLECHT
Goal
Silvio Proto: Did not have a single save to make in the first half, and was barely tested in the second until the Gunners' late salvage mission. He could do little to keep out either goal. (6/10)
Defence
Anthony Vanden Borre: Came in for his first start this evening having been given just 60 minutes of action thus far due to injury. The former Portsmouth man looked impressive at full-back, both defensively and offensively, although perhaps should have scored his late chance to put the game beyond Arsenal. (8/10)
Chancel Mbemba: Made a number of key interceptions around the edge of the penalty box to thwart any opposition danger. Even fired away a decent-looking effort early on which was deflected wide. (8/10)
Olivier Deschacht: An experienced defender who stood up to the challenge for 89 minutes, but could have done better to perhaps deny Podolski at the death. (7/10)
Frank Acheampong: Moved into some promising positions in the first half in particular, although he failed to capitalise on the openings. (7/10)
Midfield
Yoeri Tielemans: Looked lively in the opening 45 minutes as he probed away, firing in a couple of shots which did not test the Arsenal stopper. A good showing overall from the Belgian. (7/10)
Steven Defour: One of the key men in this Anderlecht side, yet he was guilty of numerous wasted set-piece deliveries. Helped to control to flow of the game from his midfield position. (6/10)
Andy Najar: Took his headed goal 20 minutes from time fantastically well, and continued to build on his impressive display from then on in. Arsenal could not deal with his runs down the right as the game progressed. (8/10)
Dennis Praet: A real livewire who set up his side's goal with a nice piece of trickery on the flank. Left the field on 88 minutes with his side ahead. But the rest, as they say, is history. (7/10)
Ibrahima Conte: Did not cause Arsenal a great deal of problems in fairness, although he did up his game following the interval, as his long-range strike four minutes after the restart shows. (6/10)
Attack
Gohi Bi Cyriac: Manager Besnik Hasi took a risk by fielding the Ivorian over star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Justified his inclusion by causing Arsenal real problems early on, but faded as game wore on before being replaced. (7/10)
Substitutes
Matias Suarez: Almost latched onto a ball over the top shortly after being introduced, which was not dealt with by the visiting side. Poor first touch let him down, though, which proved costly in the end. (5/10)
Leander Dendoncker: Well the opposite of Conte's game, really. Brought on with his side leading two minutes from time; left the field on the losing team. (5/10)
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ARSENAL
Goal
Emilliano Martinez: Brought in for his first appearance since a performance to forget against Reading a couple of seasons back, the rookie did not have a single save to make in the first half. When called into action following the restart he looked assured. (7/10)
Defence
Calum Chambers: Forget everything else that happened beforehand, the assist for Gibbs's strike was simply fantastic from the youngster. On the run, he found his teammate with an inch-perfect cross to set up the rescue mission. (7/10)
Per Mertesacker: Seemed to head away every ball which came into the box, although he and his team collapsed for a 15-minute period in the second half. During that spell he looked terrible, which perhaps explains why the North London outfit have just one clean sheet in their last 10 games. (6/10)
Nacho Monreal: Shifted into centre-back, it was clear to see that Monreal did not look comfortable. Booked early on, failed to cut out cross for Anderlecht's goal and was torn apart by Najar when covering out in wide area. (5/10)
Kieran Gibbs: Smashed home his volley as though goalscoring is a regular occurrence for him. Gibbs found himself perfectly positioned to convert his fellow full-back's beautifully delivered cross. (7/10)
Midfield
Mathieu Flamini: Was guilty of losing possession on a couple of occasions, eventually being replaced 15 minutes from time. What a decision that proved to be. (5/10)
Alexis Sanchez: Comfortably Arsenal's best player in Brussels this evening, looking to create openings from start to finish. Was eventually rewarded with an assists of sorts for the winning goal. (8/10)
Aaron Ramsey: The Welshman was deemed fit enough to start, although his performance suggested otherwise. Nowhere near the peak of his fitness, perhaps understandably, with his mishit shot on the hour proof of this. (5/10)
Jack Wilshere: He simply could not dictate the tempo of the game, and failed to create any opportunities of note before being withdrawn. Arsenal looked better following the change of personnel. (5/10)
Santi Cazorla: The best chance of the first half fell right to the Spaniard three minutes in, but his badly struck shot was a sign of things to come. Could not offer Welbeck the support he needed. (6/10)
Attack
Danny Welbeck: Was restricted to half-chances before Wenger finally had enough and changed things around having gone a goal down. Nowhere near the same level that he was at three weeks ago in his side's last European outing. (6/10)
Substitutes
Lukas Podolski: Well if there is one player Arsenal supporters would have wanted the late chance to fall to, supersub Podolski would have been the choice of many. Seemingly unhappy at the Emirates Stadium, but he knows how to find the net. (8/10)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: The game was crying out for a player of Oxlade-Chamberlain's ability, with Wenger finally turning to him 15 minutes from time. Game turned around when he was on the field, even if not actually directly involved in either goal. (7/10)
Joel Campbell: This was a first Gunners outing for Campbell in the Champions League, as Wenger became rather desperate to salvage at least a point. Did not take his chance to become a hero. (6/10)
Daniel Lewis
