Crvena Zvezda vs Arsenal live: Where can I watch it, what channel, what time is kick off, team news, odds, preview
Everything you need to know ahead of the Gunners' Europa League tie in Serbia
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With the Champions League fixtures completed for the week, it is now the turn of the Europa League to take centre stage as Arsenal travel to Serbia to face Crvena Zvezda – aka Red Star Belgrade.
The majority of Arsenal’s first-team stars have been left in London as the Gunners look to make it three wins from three in Group H and take a huge step towards qualification for the next round.
With the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Atletico Madrid all in danger of dropping into the Europa League from the Champions League after no wins so far, it has become more important than ever to finish top and avoid those big names.
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What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 6pm (BST) at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Serbia on Thursday 19 October.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting at 5.30pm. Alternatively you can return to this page for updates from The Independent’s live blog.
It’s a big game for…
Arsene Wenger. The Gunners manager is under fresh pressure after defeat to Watford on the weekend after Arsenal’s mini revival following a poor start to the season and he needs his players to start building confidence again. Although very few – if any – first-team regulars will be playing in Belgrade, a good performance is needed to lift the squad ahead of a big game against Everton this weekend.
One to watch…
Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal midfielder is yet to make a Premier League appearance yet this season having only played in the Europa League and EFL Cup since his return from Bournemouth on loan. He was defending the players’ character after Troy Deeney’s comments that the Gunners lacked “cajones” but now he must go out and prove his words with a big performance in the tough Serbian conditions and he will be chomping at the bit to do so.
Form…
Crvena Zvezda: WWLWDW
Arsenal: DWWWWL
Odds...
Crvena Zvezda: 37/10
Arsenal: 10/11
Draw: 57/20
50' - Nelson wins the ball back for Arsenal inside the Red Star penalty area before shooting towards goal. However, Borjan is equal to the effort and palms the ball behind for a corner.
52' - Close! Krsticic gets good contact on a header from Stojkovic's cross but his effort is straight at Cech and the Arsenal goalkeeper keeps hold of the ball.
54' - An error by Elneny allows Srnic a free shot on goal inside the penalty area but the Red Star forward's effort is straight at Cech and he tips the ball over the crossbar.
The hosts have had a couple of decent openings at the start of this second half.
60' - Boakye cynically hauls Walcott down as the Arsenal forward leads a counter-attack for the visitors. Boakye unsurprisingly picks up a yellow card for the challenge.
62' - After a frantic opening 10 minutes to this second half, not much has happened in the last six or seven. Time for Arsene Wenger to make a change or will he be happy with a point here?
63' - Red Star's Le Tallec goes into the book for a foul on Wilshere just outside the penalty area. Decent chance, this.
64' - Seventeen-year-old right-back Nelson steps up to take the free-kick for Arsenal but his effort hits the wall before Coquelin picks up a booking for a late challenge as Red Star attempt to clear the ball.
68' - Red Star break in numbers but Radonjic's spoils the attack as his poor cross lands straight in the arms of Cech.
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