Arsenal limped past Red Star Belgrade 1-0 as Olivier Giroud’s stunning goal lit up an otherwise entirely forgettable Europa League encounter.

After sparkling interplay between Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott, Giroud executed an overhead kick into the top corner five minutes from time to lift returning pressure from Arsene Wenger.

The weekend’s defeat to Watford, after which the Hornets captain Troy Deemey claimed the Gunners lacked “cojones”, reopened some Arsenal fans’ frustrations with Wenger and the players – and this performance did little to help.

Wenger reverted to the patchwork approach he has taken to European team selections this season, Mathieu Debuchy playing for the first time in nearly a year, while Mohamed Elneny featured alongside the Frenchman in a back three. Reiss Nelson, scorer of six goals in five U23 games this season, was deployed at wingback.

The result was a stunted performance in attack, until Red Star defender Milan Rodic was dismissed in the 80th minute and the Premier League side’s three most senior players linked up to brilliant effect at Rajko Mitic Stadium.

Progression from Group H now looks a certainty, with the Gunners sitting five points clear in first place after three wins from as many matches.