Arsenal’s uninspiring draw with Red Star Belgrade saw them put the Emirates faithful through a first 0-0 European stalemate in six years.
The Gunners are more accustomed to gracing the Champions League at this stage of the season and endeavouring to put on a show to a global audience on the grandest of stages.
Arsenal 8/1 to lose 2-0 to City
This time around, on the back of a fifth-place finish in 2016-17, Arsene Wenger’s side are being forced to contend with Thursday night football in the Europa League – often with a makeshift side.
There were plenty of changes made once again in a meeting with Red Star, and the two teams ended up cancelling each other out in a disappointing contest which saw Arsenal hit a rare low in Europe.
0 - This was Arsenal's first 0-0 at the Emirates in European competition since November 2011 (v Marseille in the Champions League). Flat.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 2, 2017
While Arsenal have not been an all-conquering force this season, they have produced a steady stream of goals.
They had delivered just three blanks heading into their latest contest, with the last of those coming against Chelsea on September 17.
Wenger’s side had recorded three successive victories in continental competition, but were unable to trouble the scorers against Red Star in a first European home game since exiting the Champions League to Barcelona in 2015-16.
Arsenal will be hoping to rediscover their shooting boots when returning to domestic action, with their next fixture taking them to Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Wenger’s side will then take in a north London derby date with arch-rivals Tottenham when Premier League competition resumes after the November international break.