This was a draw which felt like a defeat for Arsenal and keeps them waiting to qualify for the last sixteen of the Champions League. 

Having been 3-0 up with more than half an hour left, Arsene Wenger's men contrived to give away three goals, the last of them in the final minute.

Wenger described the shock result as “very disappointing” and sought to blame his back line. “We had a poor defensive performance,” he said. “We got punished.”

The Gunners boss felt his men had underestimated their opponents after seeming to have the points well and truly wrapped up.

“We dropped off too much and didn't go in for the challenges any more,” he said. “We didn't stop the crosses, we didn’t stop the long balls.”

Arsenal had taken the lead from the penalty spot in the 25th minute. Mikel Arteta converting with a sublime chip over Silvio Proto after Danny Welbeck had tumbled in the box. 

They were two ahead four minutes later thanks to the in-form Alexis Sanchez who volleyed home the rebound from his own free-kick. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then made it three just before the hour with a low right foot drive. 

Yet within seconds Anderlecht had a goal back, albeit in controversial fashion. Anthony Vanden Borre was on hand with a side-footed effort, but looked well offside.

It was the turning point according to manager Besnik Hasi who believed his side had merited the draw.

“At 3-1 we grew in confidence. Then we started to play and at 3-2 you could see Arsenal started to have doubts” he said.

That second goal came courtesy of another penalty on 73 minutes, comfortably converted by the influential Vanden Borre for his second of the match.

Then with seconds remaining substitute Aleksander Mitrovic powered a header past Wojciech Szczesny to undo Arsenal who need one more point form their remaining two games to progress from the group.