Koln vs Arsenal - 5 talking points

Arsenal slumped to a 1-0 defeat against FC Koln - their first loss in Europe this season - in their Europa League Group H match at the RheinEnergieStadion. Arsene Wenger's side ensured qualification to the knockouts as group leaders despite their defeat, courtesy of the goalless draw between BATE Borisov and Red Star Belgrade.

The German side, on the other hand, have renewed their hopes of progressing to the next round courtesy of their hard-fought win, which came through Sehrou Guirassy's penalty - after Mathieu Debuchy was harshly adjudged to have fouled the striker inside the box.

Here are the biggest talking points from the Europa League clash:

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#5 Arsenal's German nightmare continues

Wenger's German hoodoo continues

Arsenal's recent woes in Europe is well documented, however, they especially seem to struggle against the German sides. While Bayern Munich have been the North London outfit's tormentor-in-chief, others including Borussia Dortmund and FC Koln have also enjoyed playing against the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger's side suffered a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Bayern Munich earlier this year in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League, which was the second time that the Gunners tasted defeat by the same scoreline at the Allianz Arena - the other recent instance dating back to November 2015, when the German giants handed out a hiding to the Emirates outfit in the group stage.

Back in 2014, Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund also recorded a 2-0 win over the Gunners at Signal Iduna Park.

Maybe Wenger should look to sign some German players to help end this nightmare.

#4 Koln benefitted from the penalty decision

Guirassy scores the penalty

In the 61st minute of the game, the ever-persistent Sehrou Guirassy darted into the Arsenal box. Per Mertesacker and Mathieu Debuchy converged on the charging forward, and the 21-year-old went to ground under what appeared to be a slight shoulder check from the latter.

The referee was quick to point to the spot amidst mass protests from the Arsenal players. Guirassy got up and dispatched the penalty straight down the middle of the goal with David Ospina diving to his right.

Replays confirmed that Debuchy was, in fact, unlucky to have given away the penalty, as there was no contact to impede the run of the forward. The only thing that the Frenchman did was a slight shoulder push, which didn't warrant the theatrical fall by Guirassy and usually doesn't end up in being a penalty.

Arsenal were by far the better side on the night and didn't deserve to lose. Who knows what might have been the case if the dubious penalty was not awarded by the referee.

#3 Apart from Jack Wilshere, Arsenal players were bereft of creativity and drive

Not enough creativity!

It was a rather drab affair at the RheinEnergieStadion with both sides not going for the kill. Koln needed the three points but were not prepared to risk getting opened up by the visitors and sat back to absorb the pressure.

They did benefit from the penalty decision but it was the visitors who should have done better to create problems for Koln's defence. Jack Wilshere was the only Arsenal player who looked to have the drive to make something happen. In fact, he was also the only one to show any kind of creativity, with the other players looking pedestrian and uninterested.

While not much can be expected from a midfield pairing of Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny, both not particularly blessed in the arts of attacking and are known for their defensive contribution (if at all), the other Arsenal players also failed to cause problems for the opposition.

Wenger did field a second-string side in a rather inconsequential match for the Gunners but the players should have made the most of the occasion and expressed themselves. Wilshere, who has been afforded playing time in cup competitions mostly, was the only one who looked capable of turning things around for his team.

That was until Reiss Nelson came on...

#2 Koln's European dream stays alive ... for now

Koln fans could not have asked for a better result

Koln welcomed the North London outfit knowing that nothing but a win could keep their European dream alive. The German outfit have made their return to European football after a gap of over 20 years and were languishing at the bottom of the table before the game against Arsenal.

However, the 45,000+ odd breathed a collective sigh of relief when the referee blew for full-time because Koln's future in the competition is now back in their hands. All that Die Geißböcke have to do now is to ensure that they record a win in the final game of the group stage to qualify for the knockouts.

Koln have just returned to Europe after such a long period of time, they are not going to go out just as yet, and that too without a fight.

#1 Reiss Nelson - Hype or prodigy?

Reiss Nelson

Arsenal have a habit of hyping up their youngsters ever since Cesc Fabregas burst on to the scene and took the world by storm. We have had many come through the ranks of the Gunners but only few left to make their mark.

Reiss Nelson became a beacon of hope for the future in the eyes of the fans following his stunning displays in the club's pre-season tour. Ever since, the youngster hasn't had enough opportunities to make an impact but yesterday he got the chance and he made the most of it, trying his best to pull his side level.

With his direct and swift running, no-nonsense crossing and ability to ride through challenges, Nelson was Arsenal's biggest threat going forward and eventually came closest to scoring too, as he forced Horn into making a decent save.

Whether he will be able to live up to his hype is another thing, but for now, he is the beacon of hope for Arsenal fans, who never quite got to the promised lands that they were falsely reassured of.