Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench to rescue Arsenal on Thursday as they got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Rapid Vienna.
The club captain scored just four minutes after David Luiz had equalised as the Gunners fought back to win the Group B clash after a Bernd Leno mistake saw them fall behind early in the second half.
Thomas Partey made his first start for the club in a match from which Rapid will feel they should have taken something, with goalscorer Taxiarchis Fountas unable to capitalise on further Leno errors.
Rapid had 12 shots to Arsenal s 11 but could not avenge a 6-2 aggregate defeat in their only previous meeting back in the 1991-92 European Cup.
1-1 David Luiz (33y 183d) is the oldest player to score for Arsenal in major European competition since Sol Campbell against FC Porto in the Champions League back in February 2010 (35y 152d). Equaliser.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
Arsenal managed more yellow cards (three) than shots on target (one) in the first half, with Thomas going into the book for a stray elbow on Fountas.
The best chances fell to David Luiz, who saw a header well saved by Richard Strebinger, and Marcel Ritzmaier, whose clever backheel almost deflected beyond Leno.
It was Leno at fault for the opening goal, though, the Gunners keeping failing to clear under pressure, allowing Fountas to drill a good finish into the bottom-right corner after the ball fell his way.
Another loose kick allowed Fountas to drive towards the penalty area, but this time Leno was on hand to block his low strike.
The Gunners drew level with 20 minutes remaining, Nicolas Pepe s deep free-kick glanced in by David Luiz, who rose unchallenged in the heart of the penalty area.
Just after another Leno error had given Fountas the chance to restore Rapid s lead, Arsenal struck again. Mohamed Elneny slid a ball through to Hector Bellerin and Aubameyang was on hand to tap in his cut-back.
What does it mean? Gunners unconvincing but up and running
This is probably the toughest of Arsenal s group games on paper, so Mikel Arteta will be thrilled to have taken all three points even if the performance left much to be desired.
He will not have been overly pleased at having to bring on Aubameyang to get the result they wanted, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah ineffective.
They are level with Molde on three points, two goals scored and one conceded after the Norwegian side won away to Dundalk.
Thomas ticking along
Thomas looked comfortable at the heart of the midfield, admittedly with Rapid s central trio not offering a great deal of opposition when Arsenal had the ball.
The £45million man won five tackles, more than any team-mate, completed 90.2 per cent of his passes and contested 13 duels.
Leno lunacy
Few Arsenal players performed to their best, but Leno s loose kicking and decision-making cost his side one goal and could easily have led to two others.
Among Premier League goalkeepers since the start of 2018-19, only Jordan Pickford (11) and David de Gea (nine) have made more errors leading to goals in all competitions than Arsenal s number one.
Key Opta Facts
Arsenal have won their opening group game in each of the last four Europa League campaigns.
This was Rapid Vienna’s first home defeat in the group stages of the Europa League since October 2012 (4-0 versus Bayer 04 Leverkusen), ending their 13-game unbeaten run on home soil in the group stages of the competition.
Taxiarchis Fountas scored Rapid Vienna s opener and his first goal in major European competition with what was his ninth shot (fifth appearance).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 12 goals in 19 UEFA Europa League appearances for Arsenal.
What s next?
Arsenal host Dundalk on matchday two next Thursday, after a Premier League clash with Leicester City this Sunday. Rapid s second group game is away to Molde.
