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
71' - Donald takes aim from all of 30 yards but slips as he goes to shoot and the ball trickles behind for an Arsenal goal-kick. Wasteful, very wasteful.
74' - Walcott's corner is a disappointing one but Giroud tries to make something out of it, going for a wildly audacious volley from around 15 yards. He doesn't make good contact though and the ball goes well over the crossbar.
80' - This really hasn't been a great match. It's perhaps been marginally more entertaining than Manchester United's win over Benfica last night but that's not saying much.
Red Star go down to 10 men
80' - Red card! Red Star's Rodic challenges for a header with Coquelin but catches the Arsenal midfielder with his arm and is shown a second yellow card. Perhaps a little harsh - can the Gunners capitalise on their one-man advantage in the final 10 minutes?
GOAL! Red Star 0-1 Arsenal (Giroud)
85' - What a goal! Giroud sticks an overhead kick into the top corner to give Arsenal the lead after good play from Wilshere and Walcott. Unbelievable effort.
88' - Pesic drives forward for Red Star down the left wing before cutting the ball back to Kanga but his first-time effort from just inside the penalty area is well off target.
90' - There will be five minutes of additional time in Belgrade.
90+4' - Pesic attempts to break into the Arsenal penalty area but Debuchy gets a fantastic slide tackle in to dispossess the Red Star substitute.
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