Arsenal booked their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League after a flaccid goalless draw with Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates.
Arsene Wenger once again deployed his second-string side, with Jack Wilshere playing in an advanced midfield role.
Olivier Giroud came closest to breaking the deadlock for the Gunners, missing the target from inside the box as well as seeing a couple of efforts saved by Milan Borjan in the Red Star goal.
The best chance of the first-half came late on, with Ghanaian striker Richmond Boakye blasting wide when through on goal.
Boakye would miss another decent chance in the second-half, in a game either side could have won.
Young ‘keeper Matt Macey was called into action, more than once, making a superb save on 36 minutes to thwart Vujadin Savic.
Late on, Wilshere almost got the winner, only for his dinked effort to be cleared off the line. Indeed, he was one of the Gunners’ better players throughout.
Passing 🎯
Vision 👀“He is able to thrust from midfield like no other player can.”
High praise for Jack Wilshere 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/A8nPxVN9B7
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) November 2, 2017
Despite the turgid draw, the Gunners still progress to the last 32, courtesy of their 10 point haul.
The Belgrade players were rather pleased with the draw themselves…
Now Wenger and co. turn their attention to a rather bigger challenge in the shape of a Premier League visit to the Etihad at the weekend.
(Table: BBC)