Daily Mail
"One wonders what out-of-work Carlo Ancelotti made of this comeback in Liege," writes Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail. "If the three-time Champions League winner was watching at home, he might have been behind the sofa whenever David Luiz and Co tried to play it out from the back.
"Prior to kick off, Ljungberg had called on his players to be courageous – but there’s bravery then there’s stupidity. Their attempts at passing it out was cringeworthy at times.
"Still, Ljungberg knew all his side had to do was avoid defeat by five goals to qualify.
"Needing a miracle to go through, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws tried to inspire the hosts by reminding them Lenny Kravitz once said: ‘Baby, it ain't over 'til it's over.’
"Het Nieuwsblad were less optimistic, opting for the headline ‘Mission Impossible’ on their front page.
"That was more realistic take on the situation, with Standard primarily playing for pride."
The Telegraph
"Three goals in nine minutes on Monday, then two goals in three minutes on Thursday. Arsenal are at least playing in bursts of quality, which is an improvement of sorts even if their general output remains worryingly below par in this season of angst and worry," writes Sam Dean for the Telegraph.
"For much of an uncomfortable night in Belgium, Arsenal reverted to their clammy, nervous selves, as if Monday’s confidence-boosting win at West Ham United had not happened at all.
"Only the promise of youth, and Bukayo Saka in particular, ensured this was not a humiliating defeat for Freddie Ljungberg’s much-changed side.
"A draw against Standard Liege proved to be enough, with results elsewhere working in Arsenal’s favour.
"Had Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Vitoria in Germany, Arsenal would have finished second in their group and been faced with the prospect of meeting the best Champions League dropouts in the next round of the Europa League."
The Guardian
"Exactly how this became a successful evening for Arsenal will remain a mystery but Freddie Ljungberg may consider that, at this point in his young managerial career, there is no need to apologise for a stroke of good fortune," writes Nick Ames for the Guardian.
"Two goals in three minutes late in the second half, the excellent Bukayo Saka setting up the first for Alexandre Lacazette and then scoring a classy equaliser, pegged back Standard Liège and rescued a scrappy display but the most important turning point came elsewhere.
"Had Vitória Guimarães not contrived an improbable late turnaround at Eintracht Frankfurt, Ljungberg’s side would have finished second in Group F and be confronted with the possibility of facing, among others, Internazionale or Ajax in the last 32.
"Instead they are group winners and will face a softer set of options, although their performances will need to improve markedly if further complications are not to arise."
The Independent
"Bukayo Saka provided the inspiration as Arsenal fought back from two goals down to earn a draw at Standard Liege and qualify for the Europa League knockout stage," writes Mark Mann-Bryans for the Independent.
"For some time, the Gunners looked to have been slipping down to second place in Group F but a 2-2 scoreline, coupled with Eintracht Frankfurt’s home defeat to Vitoria, meant they avoided the likes of Ajax and Inter Milan in the last-32 draw on Monday.
"Samuel Bastien and Selim Amallah both scored from deflected second-half efforts for the Belgian side only for Saka to cross for Alexandre Lacazette to head in before netting the equaliser himself.
"It remains to be seen if interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg will be in charge when the competition returns in the new year but his decision to make nine changes this time out looked like it could have backfired at stages."
