It wasn't a win for Arsenal in their last game of the Europa League group stage. However, it all ended in praise for them in what was a Group F dramatic twist.
Freddie named a side filled with youngsters who would later struggle in the course of the encounter. It was shocking to see how we were reduced to nothing against a side that ordinarily should pose no threat to us.
From the squad that recorded a turnaround victory over West Ham United on Monday, only two (Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sokratis) surfaced tonight in an entirely different formation. Alexandre Lacazette captained.
The first half had no great moments for us especially when we couldn't structure things out to our favour. Were we less zealous knowing that our opponents would need to win by five goals to push us out of qualification zone?
It was a stalemate at halftime. Standard Liege were not that vibrant but were obviously doing better. Our sloppiness continued upon restart and we were well punished twice for it.
Samuel Bastien tried a 22-yard attempt which deflected past Sokratis into goal. Emi's dive was futile.
It was time for us to step up. That goal still didn't revive us as we slacked until Amallah hit another in. It was their second deflected goal and this time it was off Dinos Mavropanus. They will be grateful to Joe Willock for that costly error that led to their chance.
Bukayo Saka came to our rescue with his cross that was headed in by Lacazette. Next, the Nigerian combined well with sub Gabriel Martinelli to earn us the equaliser.
With the 2-2 scoreline, we were set to finish the stage on second spot since Eintracht Frankfurt were up against Vitoria by two goals to one but before we knew what was happening, Vitoria got the equaliser thereby placing us at the top of the log with just a point above Frankfurt.
Again, Vitoria struck, Frankfurt lost and sealed second place with nine points while we ended with eleven. Arsenal are top of group F, just as experts from Mr Green predicted. We will get seeded in the last-32 draw scheduled to hold in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday afternoon.
That draw will come up after we must have played host to Manchester City a day before. Our guests lost to their city rivals at the Etihad Stadium last week and will be all out to redeem themselves.
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