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.
A stunning 40-yard strike by Jhon Cordoba put Cologne ahead with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina caught out of his area.
Arsenal improved in the second half and substitute Sead Kolasinac volleyed it level before a brilliant goal by Sanchez gave it a 67th-minute lead.
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 was taken apart in Italy, losing 3-0 to Atalanta.
The results: Group A : Villarreal 3 (Sansone 16, Bakambu 75, Cheryshev 77) bt Astana 1 (Logvinenko 68).
Group C : Hoffenheim 1 (Wagner 24) lost to Braga 2 (Joao Carlos 45+1, Dyego Sousa 50).
Group D : Austria Vienna 1 (Borkovic 47) lost to AC Milan 5 (Calhanoglu 7, Andre Silva 10, 20, 56, Suso 63).
Group E : Atalanta 3 (Masiello 27, Gomez 41, Cristante 44) bt Everton 0.
Group H : Arsenal 3 (Kolasinac 49, Sanchez 67, Bellerin 82) bt Cologne 1 (Cordoba 9).
Group J : Hertha Berlin 0 drew with Athletic Bilbao 0.
Group K : Vitesse Arnhem 2 (Matavz 33, Linssen 57) lost to Lazio 3 (Parolo 51, Immobile 67, Murgia 75).
Group L : Real Sociedad 4 (Llorente 9, 77, Zurutuza 10, Skjelvik 41-og) bt Rosenborg 0 .
