Rapid Vienna 1-2 Arsenal result: Aubameyang and David Luiz spare Gunners' Europa League blushes

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Tom Doyle22 October 2020

Arsenal survived a scare in their Europa League group-stage opener as goals from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secured a 2-1 comeback win against Rapid Vienna.

The Gunners headed into Thursday's match in Austria as heavy favourites, with Thomas Partey handed his full debut by Mikel Arteta.

However, Arsenal struggled for inspiration in a goalless first half, and a Bernd Leno error handed Taxiarchis Fountas a tap-in after 50 minutes to give Vienna the lead.

The hosts were spirited with Leno unusually shaky, and Arsenal needed calmer heads as a double change from Arteta turned the tide.

The Arsenal manager introduced Hector Bellerin and Aubameyang on the hour, and the Gunners were level through a Luiz header with 20 minutes remaining.

Three minutes later, Bellerin broke Vienna's offside trap to tee up Aubameyang for a tap-in and spare Arsenal's blushes in what proved to be a demanding opening game in their quest for Europa glory.

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