Paris: Alexis Sanchez scored a stunning goal as Arsenal came from behind to beat Cologne 3-1 in a Europa League clash on Thursday that was delayed for an hour due to crowd trouble.
Kick-off in the Group H opener at the Emirates Stadium was put back until 9.05 pm local time in the interests of “crowd safety” after problems caused by thousands of ticketless Cologne supporters arriving at the Emirates Stadium in London.
A stunning 40-yard strike by Jhon Cordoba put Cologne ahead with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina caught out of his area.
Arsenal improved and substitute Sead Kolasinac volleyed them level before a brilliant goal by Sanchez gave them a 67th-minute lead.
The Chilean cut in from the left flank before curling a sublime effort into the far top corner, and the three points were secure when Hector Bellerin made it 3-1 late on after Theo Walcott’s effort had been saved by Timo Horn.
Earlier, Everton’s group-stage campaign got off to a disastrous start as Ronald Koeman’s side were taken apart in Italy, losing 0-3 to Atalanta.
Meanwhile, AC Milan underlined their status as one of the teams to beat in the competition by romping to a 5-1 victory at Austria Vienna in Group D with Andre Silva scoring a hat-trick.
In other matches, Villarreal beat Astana 3-1; Real Sociedad Rosenborg 4-0; Nice won 5-1 at Zulte-Waregem of Belgium; Lazio beat Vitesse Arnhem 3-2; Marseille beat Konyaspor 1-0 and Athletic Bilbao drew 0-0 at Hertha Berlin.
