Arsenal’s under-19 UEFA Youth League squad secured a mouth-watering quarter-final tie with Barcelona last night after overcoming Ukrainian’s Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 at Meadow Lane.
Fielding a strong line-up including five players – Gnabry, Akpom, Zelalem, Bellerin and Olsson – with first team experience, Steve Gatting’s side asserted their continental credentials with a mature display that echoed those of last year’s NextGen campaign.
Jon Toral opened the scoring midway through the first half and despite the visitors equalising just before the break, Olsson’s penalty on 70 minutes – just five minutes after coming on – and Gnabry’s strike three minutes later secured safe passage.
There was a slight scare when Arsenal were reduced to ten men for the final eight minutes after Glen Kamara’s second yellow but with Dejan Iliev in fine fettle between the sticks the result was never truly threatened.
Speaking after the game about his side’s showing, Gatting told UEFA.com: “[I am] delighted with the win and delighted with the performance we put in. We knew they were a good passing side and decided before the game to try and pressurise them which I thought we did well. The team responded well in the second half, we started positively, got the goal, dug in, pressurised them and got the third one. ”
On the prospect of facing Barcelona, he added: “It’s what it’s all about, going to Barcelona to play them. It will be a great experience for the team.”
While any trip to the Camp Nou represents a huge occasion, for three of Arsenal’s squad the match also represents something of a homecoming. Hector Bellerin, Jon Toral and Julio Pleguezuelo were all nurtured at La Masia before, much to the chagrin of the Catalans, signing for Arsenal.
Tweeting last night, Bellerin couldn’t hide his excitement at facing his old team:
Well done lads!
Great win! Well done boys
How come it is only a one leg tie?
*inserts really bad pun about 1-leg*
*gets coat*
Congratulations guys!
Bloggs, who was the player that floored Van P?? Good result btw boys well done!
I’ve been wondering too. I need to shake that man’s hand.
‘Roberto Jiménez Gago’, aka ‘Roberto’, aka ‘Robbie, let me buy you a drink’.
Can’t say. Sorry.
Just when I thought I could not possibly appreciate the guy more than I do already.
Gnabry looks a very familiar name in an unfamiliar setting. Well done!
Great result from the lads and good to see Gnabry keeping up the good form. Hopefully we’ll see more and more from him.
Loving the Gnab.
What a boss.
Gnab is an absolute boss.
I wondered why there was a table full of swimming goggles in the picture for a moment.
So it was Chip-Water who decked RVP…..oh, hold on a sec….
I’m exhilarated. The future is bright*m COYG
Don’t get the chip/water bit lol but it has been one of those days – anyone, blogs, care to enlighten me
Chip/Water
RAM/Sea
Well done boys, the senior team awaits, just stick with the Arsenal FC till forever and become loved legends. COYG!!!
I read on jeorgebirds blog that zelalem hasn’t signed his pro contract with us yet. Any news on this? I have to admit I’m a bit nervous of other teams trying to nick him.
Hey Steve, it’s a Ram chip, and its over the Sea, not water.
Do you get it now?
Cheers goon. Still only 9:30 here and there’s nothing going on upstairs at all.
Memory… ocean? Ugh, thanks, Sangria.
Cheers gang lol seems obvious now – like an episode of catchphrase lol
Say what you see lol
http://www.givemesport.com/435906-arsenal-star-wants-his-own-song?autoplay=on
Oy!! Do something about this.match-goers.Quick. ^^