Match Report: Spirited Anderlecht Stun Mentally Weak Arsenal

Arsenal's last home Champions League encounter proved to be something of a false dawn. The 4-1 victory over Galatasaray brought to an end a 3-game winless streak at the Emirates, only for them to falter when they hosted Hull City 17 days later. Last gasp goals from Kieran Gibbs and Lukas Podolski in the 2-1 win at Anderlecht last time out in Europe proved to be the catalyst for a 3-game winning run and it looked as though they would make it 4 wins from their last 4 when the Purple & White came to the Emirates, only to be denied late on.

While the Gunners had been guilty of failing to capitalise on their dominance at the Emirates in the past, they looked to have turned a corner when they welcomed Besnik Hasi's side to London on Tuesday night. Mikel Arteta opened the scoring on the night from the penalty spot, before Alexis Sánchez doubled Arsenal's advantage with a thundering volley on the half hour mark. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put the Gunners further ahead after the interval, before Anthony Vanden Borre pulled one back for Anderlecht. The defender then set up a nervy finish at the Emirates, bagging his and Anderlecht's second from the penalty spot with a little over 15 minutes remaining.

The hosts looked to have held out for all 3 points, but came undone in the 90th minute when substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic headed past Wojciech Szczesny to secure an unlikely point for Anderlecht. Once more, it was a case of Arsenal dominating at home and failing to make their supremacy count. With 59% possession and 18 shots to Anderlecht's 12, it's the third time in Arsenal's last 5 home games in all competitions where they have been the stronger team, only to come away with a point.

Whether it is a case of complacency is up for debate, but Arsenal certainly appeared to rest on their laurels on Tuesday once they moved into a 3-goal lead. This is highlighted in the switch in WhoScored rating from the hour mark until the full time whistle. Up until the 60th minute, the hosts' rating (7.42) was significantly better than Anderlecht's (6.02). However, from the minute prior to Vanden Borre's first goal and the end of the match, that switched drastically in the favour of the Belgian outfit (7.03 to Arsenal's 5.31).

This poor concentration ultimately cost Arsenal the victory in an encounter where all 3 points seemed secure up until Anderlecht's first goal of the evening. Vanden Borre's contentious strike took the wind out of Arsenal's sails and the way they capitulated is cause for concern for the Gunners. As for Anderlecht, they showed tremendous character to claw their way out of the abyss and keep their slim Champions League hopes alive. The introduction of goalscorer Mitrovic appeared to rejuvenate the Belgian side, with 5 of their 12 shots on goal coming between the hour mark and full time.

In that same period, Frank Acheampong struck the woodwork for the away side, Anderlecht made more tackles (10 to Arsenal's 7) and won more corners (3 to Arsenal's 2) as they pressed for an unlikely equaliser. "We have shown for the second time [we can compete] against Arsenal. Over the two games, we deserved more than 1 point," Hasi said in his post-match press conference. At half time, the game appeared done and dusted, but the 41-year-old deserves ample credit for turning the game on its head and seeing his side come away with a draw.

"Subconsciously, we underestimated Anderlecht and at this level, you get punished," Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger said after the stalemate and the lack of concentration in the final third of the fixture suggests the problem is mental rather than physical.

How do you think Arsenal will be affected by the 3-3 draw with Anderlecht? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below