Tomas Holes’ injury-time equaliser ruled out Nicolas Pepe’s opener as Slavia Prague claimed a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates in the first-leg of the Europa League quarter-final.
Arsenal’s substitute duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Pepe combined to put the hosts in front in the 86th minute, but they failed to hold onto their lead after some calamitous defending late on.
Mikel Arteta’s side lived to rue their missed chances as Willian and Alexandre Lacazette hit the woodwork while Bukayo Saka also missed a golden opportunity.
A tight first-half affair
The Gunners came into the fixture looking for a reaction after being thoroughly beaten by Liverpool last time out, whereas Slavia Prague continued their unbeaten record in the league with a 0-0 draw.
After a sluggish start to proceedings, the opening chance fell the way of Slavia Prague, when Lukas Provod found Alexander Bah with an across field switch and space to run into.
Bah drove down the wing and returned the favour to Provod, however the 24-year-old was unable to keep his effort underneath the bar.
Chances had been hard to come by for Arsenal, until Rob Holding slipped Saka in behind who seemed to have all the time in the world, but he fired his effort wide of the far post.
A frustrating second half for the Gunners
The teenager was involved again shortly after the break, as some clever link-up with Hector Bellerin saw him bearing down on goal, only to be taken down just outside the area.
Willian, who is yet to score his first goal in the red of Arsenal, stepped up and curled his shot off the post back into play. Moments later, some intense pressing from Lacazette saw him rob the ball from Murphy Dorely, allowing him to run freely towards Ondrej Kolar in goal.
With only the keeper to beat, the Frenchman got it all wrong, as his lifted effort cannoned back off the crossbar with Smith Rowe unable to convert the rebound.
The introduction of Aubameyang and Pepe sparked Arsenal into life and they nearly took the lead when Smith Rowe found his captain on the edge of the six-yard box. However, he wasn’t able to set himself in time, slicing his first-time shot wide of the target.
Then with just under five minutes to play, the break-through was finally made when Aubameyang released his fellow substitute through on goal. Arsenal’s record signing burst past his marker and kept his composure to lift the ball into the net.
Slavia Prague are renowned for their resilience and that’s exactly what they showed in the latter stages at the Emirates.
In the last minute of extra-time, Pepe failed to clear a corner which gifted Holes the opportunity to sneak in at the back post to level up the scores, to ensure the tie is perfectly poised at 1-1 next week.
