Koln vs Arsenal - 5 talking points

#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...