Khlusevich sparks Arsenal relegation zone escape

Arsenal Tula 3-1 Lokomotiv Moscow
Monday 29 November, Arsenal Stadium

Goals: Arsenal - Khlusevich 17’, Markov 40’, 58’; Lokomotiv - Pablo 90+3’
Man of the Match: Daniil Khlusevich (Arsenal)

Daniil Khlusevich struck the first blow for Arsenal in his last home game for the club before joining Spartak in the winter early on. Kings Kangwa picked out the youngster’s run behind Maciej Rybus with a lofted pass over the top; one deft touch controlled the ball, and the second found the far bottom corner with unerring precision.

Evgeny Markov swivelled on the edge of the penalty area a few minutes later, sending a smart shot arrowing towards the bottom corner, only to see a magnificent full-stretch fingertip save from 17-year-old keeper Daniil Khudyakov.

Markov wasn’t to be denied twice though. Five minutes before the break, he stole in front of Tin Jedvaj to glance a header over Khudyakov from another Kings Kangwa delivery, this time a well-worked corner routine.

The former Dynamo Moscow striker was on the money again before the hour mark, with his fellow goalscorer Khlusevich supplying the ammunition for the Gunners from out wide on the right. Markov simply peeled off his marker away from goal and steered a straight-forward shot across Khudyakov into the far corner.

Arsenal were flying, and should in all honesty have gone 4-0 up when Khlusevich raced well clear one-on-one with Khudyakov, but instead of rounding the keeper he shot early and the save was made.

In the last minute of added time, Pablo rose unopposed to power a corner into the net, but it was scant consolation for a desperately poor performance from Markus Gisdol’s men.

Arsenal go 12th on 16 points, while Lokomotiv remain fourth on 25 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 4 December - Lokomotiv vs Ural; Sunday 5 December - Khimki vs Arsenal