At the end of a tricky trip to Ukraine, Unai Emery has several reasons to be pleased with his side’s comfortable 3-0 win over Vorskla Poltava in Kiev.
Not only will Arsenal be seeded for the knockout round draw, but they also extended their unbeaten run to 18 games and kept a fourth clean sheet in five European games.
What’s more, the Spaniard handed debuts to three academy players, ended the game with six teenagers on the pitch and saw two of them grab goals.
One of those scorers, Emile Smith Rowe, spoke to Arsenal.com after the match and admitted the -12C temperature had left him very cold.
“My fingers and my toes are very cold, but you’ve just got to get on with it,” he said when asked about the conditions.
He added: “It was a good win for us and a few lads got their debuts, so we’re just happy to get the win.
“Every cup we’re in we want to win. We’re improving in every game and I’m very happy to be involved.”
Smith Rowe might have had a second goal but for an offside flag from the linesman. After tapping home Stephan Lichtsteiner’s cross in the second half, the England youth international resisted celebrating. In the end, he was right not to.
“I was a bit shocked [to score again] but because there wasn’t a lot of fans no one was celebrating,” explained the 18-year-old.
“I thought it was offside as well, but it’s happened and I’m happy to just score anyway.”
If there is one reason why we are more comfortable letting Ramsey go, it may be the emergence of this young nipper. Superb movement. And that goal should have stood for him instead wrongly ruled as off side. But several other youngsters today look sharp too. Nketiah finally gets a chance and he did not disappoint. Great feet, change of pace/direction but also again good instincts. Willock another one quietly improving. I thought he was great today. There was so much pace and power/close control from the young guns up top that Volskra struggled to get out. Also great to… Read more »
His ppacomplished touch on the ball is prominent aided by his extremely good left foot that can both recieve and move the ball effortlessly on half turns. He can develop to be ambidextrous like Santi if he works hard on it .
Also worth noting if we played Holding, looks like we may revert back to back 4 with Mustafi-Sokratis against the Spurts.
That would make sense as it means Ozil cycles back in with Iwobi and probably Mhkitaryan (or Auba).
Midfield is Granit-Torreira. Kolasinac will go into the back 4 (maybe better with Iwobi in front, Auba on the bench and Mhki out right for want of better choice at the moment.
I’ll be amazed if Holding doesn’t start against Spurs. He’s been out best central defender this season. The fact he only played 45 mins indicates this
why would he play ozil against spurs, and not Bournemouth, it don’t make sense, spurs will be far more physical than bournemouth
Because he’s our biggest player, and you play your big players especially if it’s a big game at home
Future world best player…I’m very sure of it…i pray he finishes that wonderful career with us…. Arsenal is lucky to have a gem like smith Rowe
Nelson, smith Rowe,willock,nketiah,torriera,guendouzi,saka,iwobi,maitland Niles,holding,mavrapanos and nwakali…. The future is indeed really bright…we have a great set of players coming through to dominate the round leather game just like the great Barcelona team of old……I’m so excited about the future…are you????????
I am excited about this group of young guns, more so than I have ever been with our up and coming players. The crop that promised so much Rambo, Jack, Gibo etc never really got over the line in terms of super stardom. I have a feeling this crop might just be the Arsenal we have been waiting for since the invincible’s but home grown would be so much sweeter. Add Nelson to this group and Leno and you really have a very talented side that would probably be mid table today. If this came from the work of Liam… Read more »
Nice lad and great attitude
Was he offside? I thought he was on, I was probably seeing it with my red & white tinted glasses on!
So pleased for so many of the youngsters who played today, they all were pretty good. Although you could only beat what’s in front of you, considering the travel, the conditions, it being a European tie, they all did well.
Zach what calmness, a ball playing CB, such a sought after commodity in the PL!
No, he was definitely on. Reckon they got Nketiah for interference – borderline if so.
He looked like a senior player today, my player of the game, everything he did was top notch and precise. He works hard too….Very hard.
It’s hard not to get over excited. I just hope this group stays with us and don’t let the trappings of being a young player, or injuries to hamper what could clearly be pretty glorious!