UEFA Europa League 2017/18; Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Arsenal

Goal: Olivier Giroud 85'

Amidst a crazy atmosphere, Arsenal had to toil hard to gain victory against a well-drilled Red Star Belgrade side. In their second away game in the Europa League, the Gunners had to wait until the 85th minute to guarantee all three points. And what a goal it was!

Olivier Giroud added another chapter in his stunning goals galore with an overhead finish to score the winner for Arsenal. Milan Rodic received a red card for Belgrade for two bookable offences which turned the tide in Arsenal's favour in the final quarter of the game. On that note, let's take a look at the five talking points from Arsenal's away trip to Serbia:

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#5 Arsene Wenger rings in the changes

Wenger made 9 changes to the side that lost to Watford

After an uninspiring, insipid display against Watford, Wenger made as many as nine changes to his starting eleven against Red Star Belgrade. Petr Cech and Mohammad Elneny were the only survivors from a 2-1 defeat against the Hornets.

As has been the case in the Europa League for Arsenal, youngsters have been given the chance to express themselves which has led to the likes of Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles to shine.

Wenger has ensured that his side has a right mix of youth and experience which has led the side to three wins out of three and a safe passage to the knockout stages.

The Europa League games are giving Wenger the chance to rotate and test his academy strength and with victories following (despite a lacklustre performance), the Gunners can have a real go at this if the draw opens up for them in the latter stages.

#4 Theo Walcott continues to disappoint

There's more to Walcott than what meets the eye

"What could have been" is the first thing that comes to mind if Theo Walcott had lived up to his true potential. Just like his Arsenal career, Walcott started brightly against Belgrade but fizzled soon after. He took several incisive runs in the first quarter of the game and also had numerous chances to give Arsenal the lead.

He took a lame shot with his left in the first good attempt and then shot wide in the second half; two chances which could have guaranteed a victory with a bigger margin for Arsenal. But, it was Walcott who assisted Giroud to score the winner for the Gunners, proving once again that there is more to Walcott that meets the eye.

It is a million dollar question as to what Arsenal can do with a player who can safely be said as a wasted talent but one who can also win you games.

#3 Richmond Boakye fails his Chelsea audition

Boakye failed to impress the Chelsea scouts present at the game

The Blues are actively looking for a striker to share the workload with Alvaro Morata after Antonio Conte reportedly being frustrated with Michy Batshuayi.

One striker that has been linked with Chelsea in the past few weeks has been Richmond Boakye - Red Star Belgrade's talisman. Scouts from the West London club were present in the game against Arsenal but might not be fairly convinced by what they saw.

Boakye was isolated for the majority of the match with Belgrade being the second best side on the night. His link-up play was good at times and one of his headers hit the upright, his only chance of the match.

The Ghanaian looks like a decent striker but is he better than what Chelsea have at the moment is the big question. With Tammy Abraham waiting for his chance, Antonio Conte does not need to look for elsewhere for a forward to partner Morata.

#2 Jack Wilshere shows his class in the second half

Wilshere created the match-winning goal

It was a sort of Jekyll and Hyde performance from Arsenal's Jack Wilshere. Amidst talk of a Premier League start for the classy midfielder, Wilshere showed despair and promise in either half of the game.

In the first 45 minutes, Wilshere looked a bit rusty, his touches being Lukakuesque and his passing average. At that moment, it looked like he needs some time before replacing Granit Xhaka/Aaron Ramsey in the Premier League.

But a second-half reflected an altogether different story. Wilshere looked confident in position, taking on players with swagger.

He created the goal which Arsenal scored by flicking a dinked ball towards Olivier Giroud in a crowded space and taking three defenders out of the picture. It was an exciting second half display from the man in focus who if stays fit, can prove to be the spark in midfield that Arsenal are lacking at the moment.

#1 Olivier Giroud scores a stunner...yet again

Arsenal's saviour: Olivier Giroud bailed the Gunners out yet again

A game which was looking likely to be a drab 0-0 draw saw a stunning late goal courtesy of Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman again scored from an overhead kick and added another goal in his already epic goal collection.

After Walcott headed the ball in Giroud's way, the chance looked to have been lost but the striker shifted his body weight brilliantly to connect the ball and lob it over the hapless Red Star keeper.

Though this goal is inferior to Giroud's overhead kick against Bournemouth last year or his Puskas winning goal against Crystal Palace, this was a goal which guaranteed a fine away win for the Gunners.

Giroud has developed a knack of scoring late winners for the Gunners and this is the second match of the season where a late goal from the Frenchman has guaranteed all three points; the first one being the winner against Leicester City on opening day. Giroud is the game changer for Arsene Wenger!