Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny has helped Arsenal maintain their perfect run in the Europa League after beating Red Star 1-0 on Thursday. Coach Arsene Wenger deployed him at centre back in the Gunners three-man defence alongside Mathieu Debuchy and Rob Holding. The Pharaohs international delivered a solid performance to shield his keeper and claim a third straight victory in group H to go five points clear at the top. But it was French striker Olivier Giroud who turned out to be the hero of the night after scoring the winner with an overhead kick. Both sides missed chances as Theo Walcott came close for Arsenal in the first half while Richmond Boaqye hit the woodwork at the other end and Petr Cech did well to keep out a Nemanja Radonjic effort. Roared on by their faithful supporters, Red Star kept going at a makeshift Arsenal side in the second half and Cech again rescued the visitors when he palmed over the bar a fierce Slavoljub Srnic shot. Red Star goalkeeper Milan Borjan denied Reiss Nelson as Arsenal came forward in numbers in search of a winner, which came after the home side had left back Milan Rodic sent off for a second bookable offence in the 81st minute. Arsenal top Group H with a maximum nine points from three games after returning to winning ways following their 2-1 defeat by Watford in the Premier League. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)