Arsenal 3-3 Anderlecht: Gunners throw away lead

Despair for Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal as Aleksandar Mitrovic of Anderlecht (not pictured) scores their third goal. Picture: Getty

The Gunners scored twice in the last three minutes to win 2-1 in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago and Anderlecht exacted sweet revenge with an incredible second-half comeback at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s penalty and Alexis Sanchez’s brilliant volley put the hosts firmly in the driving seat at half-time before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looked to have sealed all three points with a third early in the second half.

Anthony Vanden Borre gave the visitors hope just after the hour with a close-range header and the former Portsmouth defender then added another from the penalty spot to make it 3-2.

Anderlecht poured forward in the last ten minutes and finally got the equaliser their courage deserved as substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic headed home in the 90th minute.

A victory for the Gunners would have guaranteed their place in the knockout stages after Borussia Dortmund thrashed Galatasaray 4-1 in Germany. Arsenal remain second in Group D and in a strong position to qualify but cannot catch Dortmund.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta (Flamini 62), Ramsey, Oxlade- Chamberlain (Rosicky 81), Cazorla, Sanchez, Welbeck (Podolski 81).Subs not used: Martinez, Walcott, Sanogo, Bellerin.

Anderlecht: Proto, Deschacht, Mbemba (Dendoncker 54), Vanden Borre, Praet, Kljestan, Tielemans, Najar, Conte (Kawaya 46), Cyriac (Mitrovic 62), Acheampong. Subs not used: Roef, Colin, Heylen, Kabasele.

Referee: C Turpin (Fra) Att: 60,000.