Standard Liege 2-2 Arsenal: 5 Hits and Flops from the game | UEFA Europa League 2019-20

Arsenal secured their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League after a 2-2 draw against Standard Liege at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Belgium on Thursday evening.

Second-half strikes from Samuel Bastien and Selim Amallah saw Standard Liege go 2-0 up but the Gunners made up for the deficit with goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka, who each scored a goal ten minutes before time.

Arsenal now head into the next stage of the European competition as winners of Group F after Eintracht Frankfurt conceded two late goals to bottom side Vitória at the Commerzbank Arena on the same night.

Arsenal had previously gone nine consecutive games without a win in all competitions, drawing against Vitoria and losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in their recent Europa League meetings.

The side now appear to be riding high on momentum after interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg secured his first win as manager against West Ham United last weekend. However, they will hope to improve upon their performance as they prepare for a difficult test against Manchester City this Sunday.

Without further ado, here's a look at thfive hits and flops from the Gunners' comeback against Standard Liege:

#1 Flop: Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Within the young squad Ljungberg fielded against Standard Liege, Ainsley Maitland-Niles was one of the more experienced players, but it certainly didn't show on the pitch. The midfielder was woeful in a position that he has been yearning for after continually being used as a plug-in for the team's defensive absences under Unai Emery.

The Hale End Academy graduate has frequently been criticised for his lack of skill and creativity at right wing-back, and his display this evening showed that he needs to play further up the pitch.

The 22-year-old was largely invisible whenever he was required to receive the ball in the middle of the park, almost refusing to move forward to participate in the attacking play. Emile Smith-Rowe's square pass in the first half of the game served as a perfect example of Maitland-Niles' poor display and he was simply lucky that the hosts never took advantage of his errors throughout the game.

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#2 Hit: Arnaud Bodart

Arnaud Bodart

Arnaud Bodart was the primary reason Arsenal failed to take the lead in the first half as he put in a fine performance at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne to keep his side in the game. The Belgian Under-21 international made three crucial saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the North London giants from breaking the deadlock and running away with the game.

The 21-year-old kept out Emile Smith-Rowe’s low shot early in the first half before making a stunning double-save at the brink of half-time. He then palmed away Bukayo Saka’s shot from close range and was quick to react to Reiss Nelson’s header later on in the game.

Bodart was eventually beaten twice after the break but he was not at fault for either of the goals. If it were not for his heroics between the sticks, the Gunners would have surely left Belgium with a win.

#3 Hit: Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka put in a Man-of-the-Match performance for Arsenal and was involved in both of their goals against Standard Liege. The 18-year-old emerged as the catalyst behind the Gunners' comeback from two goals down to end the game at 2-2.

The teenager, who came close to scoring in the first half when his shot from close range was saved by Arnaud Bodart, put in a sumptuous cross that was headed home by Alexandre Lacazette in the 78th minute. He then completed Arsenal’s comeback just three minutes later as his deft finish narrowly eluded the outstretched hands of Bodart.

Saka was undoubtedly Arsenal’s most prominent and impactful player against Standard Liege, and his superb display in Belgium is certain to boost his confidence.

#4 Flop: Konstantinos Mavropanos

Konstantinos Mavropanos

Konstantinos Mavropanos was the weakest link in Ljungberg's experimental defensive trio which also comprised of David Luiz & Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and had a disastrous outing against Standard Liege.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Greek outfit PAS Giannina in January, made his first senior appearance of the season in the game, and it’s safe to say that he could have done a lot better.

The former Greece Under-21 International lacked pace and failed to provide any sort of stability to Arsenal’s defence, which was breached twice in the second half by the Belgian giants, courtesy of goals from Samuel Bastian and Selim Amallah.

Mavropanos, who looked short on confidence at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne, really needs to up his game if he wants to establish himself as a regular at a club of Arsenal’s stature.

#5 Hit: Selim Amallah

Selim Amallah

Selim Amallah was a constant threat to Arsenal’s backline as the defenders found it difficult to contain the Morocco international. Amallah’s persistence was duly rewarded when he found the back of the net in the 69th minute after Joe Willock gifted him the ball.

The 23-year-old, who joined Standard Liege from Belgian outfit Mouscron over the summer, has been in good form for his new employers in the present campaign. The attacking midfielder’s goal against the Gunners means he has now scored seven goals in 22 appearances in all competitions this season, besides providing three assists.

Amallah was hugely impressive against Arsenal and if he manages to continue his form, it won’t be long before he makes a switch to one of the more prominent leagues in Europe.