Europa League Review: Arsenal progress, Evra lashes out at fan and misery for Everton

Red Star take Arsenal’s 100% record

Arsenal may not have lost at the Emirates on Thursday night, but they didn’t win at the ground for the first time this season. It was still enough for Arsene Wenger’s side to progress to the next stage, with Cologne beating BATE Borisov 5-2.

It was a little more open than in Serbia, with Red Star Belgrade offering much more attacking intent than in the first meeting. Richmond Boakye could have scored on two occasions, if he had shown a little more calmness in the area.

Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Macey started only his second game, with Petr Cech rested and David Ospina injured. The 23-year-old had previously played for Accrington Stanley and Luton Town when on-loan from the Gunners.

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Ten minutes before half-time, Vujadin Savic’s header looped over Macey, but the shot-stopper managed to tip it onto the crossbar. He wasn’t really tested after that moment, but that was more down to Boakye’s wayward shooting.

Red Star were difficult to breakdown once again and it’s easy to see why they have lost only two of their last 12 away games. They did almost concede but for the brilliance of their captain Damian Le Tallec, as the defender expertly cleared the ball off the line when Jack Wilshire’s dink beat the advancing Red Star keeper Milan Borjan.

Arsenal are still unbeaten on home soil since they lost to Bayern Munich in March. They have now been defeated just once in their previous 13 matches in all competitions.

Is Unsworth’s faith in Everton’s youth misplaced?

Everton were eliminated from the Europa League in Lyon, but it was a much-improved performance from the side than in recent months. David Unsworth fielded a youthful team for the encounter, as he left Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, and Wayne Rooney in England, even though he is currently without seven first team players.

Beni Baningime made his European debut to add to his first competitive start for the club on Sunday against Leicester City. Ademola Lookman appeared fleetingly as a substitute under Ronald Koeman, but he was given his first start since they beat Hadjuk Split in the qualifier.

Unsworth knows the youngsters well from his work with Everton’s U23 team, whilst they have developed numerous talent in recent years. That capability is showing no signs of abating with the Blues having five players in England U20 squad that won in South Korea including Lookman and Jonjoe Kenny.

There was an added commitment level, as they limited Lyon to few chances in the first half and had their own opportunities. Lookman showed pace, strength, and a refreshing directness, whilstBaningime displayed composure and athleticism in equal measure.

It still ended in defeat for The Toffees, with an element of misfortune and naivety costing them a better result. They held firm until the 68^th minute, although 3-0 was certainly harsh on Unsworth and his young team.

Bertrand Traore rounded Jordan Pickford and scored after Morgan Schneiderlin’s tackle deflected into the attacker behind the Everton defence. Houssem Aouar gave Pickford little chance for the second following a clever little reverse pass from Memphis Depay.

It was the former Manchester United winger Depay that added the third, when he headed in Jordan Ferri’s cross. Schneiderlin was also sent-off for a second bookable offence in his home country, but at least there are some positives for the Everton supporters to take into the next few matches.

Is this the last we will see of Evra?

Patrice Evra became the first player to receive a red card before kick-off in the history of the Europa League. The left-back incredibly kicked a Marseille fan in the head by the touchline prior to their match with Vitoria de Guimaraes, which they lost 1-0.

Evra has lost his position at Marseille in Ligue 1 to Aston Villa’s on-loan full-back Jordan Amavi, as there has been a severe drop-off in the 36-year-old’s form. The former Juventus defender will likely face a lengthy ban for the incident, but it will be revealing to find out the cause and exchange which took place to cause such a controversial moment.

Kyiv forget their domestic problems

Dynamo Kyiv became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage when they beat Young Boys. Vitaliy Buyalskiy’s strike in the 70^th minute helped them forget their form in the Ukraine and meant that they have won three of their four matches in the competition.

Kyiv were just two points off the top spot in the Ukrainian Premier League with a game in hand during September. They now trail Shakhtar Donetsk by seven points, as they have drawn four and lost once in their last five games in the division.

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Bacca wants another Europa League

Villarreal beat Slavia Prague 2-0 with Carlos Bacca’s acrobatic finish giving the Spanish side the lead. The 31-year-old scored against the Czech Republic side in the previous 2-2 draw and has now netted three goals in his last four appearances.

The Colombian striker won the Europa League twice before with Sevilla and clearly enjoys the tournament. He is beginning to find his feet at El Madrigal after he spent two years at Milan.

Have Romania got the next Hagi?

FC FCSB are virtually in the last 32 after they drew 1-1 with Hapoel Beer Sheva. The artist formerly known as Steaua Bucharest are currently leading the Romanian league, in their first full season under their new moniker.

It was Florinel Teodor Coman that scored the opener for the Romanians. The 19-year-old progressed through the ranks at the Gheorghe Hagi Football Academy and has a release clause of €100 million, which is a Romanian record.

The left winger scored his first goals in a 7-0 win over ACS Poli Timișoara. He has abundance of pace and could be the next world star from the country.