/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68492759/1290558529.0.jpg)
Arsenal maintained their 100% winrate in the Europa League with a 4-2 win over Dundalk. The Gunners are the only team in European competition to still be unbeaten, un-drawn, by the way. It wasn’t the best played match, but on a rainy night, sloppy pitch, and with nothing for either team to play for, what did you expect?
There were some definite highlights and a few lowlights from the match.
- Mo Elneny’s missile of a goal, top bins. The lad doesn’t score many (it was his first for Arsenal in three years), but when he does, they are absolute bangers.
- Emile Smith Rowe’s strong play, generally. He made the most of his first senior start in a while. He provides mobility and makes runs that very few, if any, of the other guys on the roster make. Would love to see him start getting run-outs in the Premier League.
- Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles had solid games. They have so much more mobility than Granit Xhaka does that I think it may be time to give one of them a try in lieu of him. Xhaka is pretty clearly a better passes than both though, so I get why Mikel Arteta keeps picking him.
- Eddie Nketiah keeps scoring goals. Today, he scored from 12 yards out, which is easily the longest goal he’s scored in his Arsenal career. Goal-poaching is a skill, and he’s got it.
- Cedric Soares is aggressively mediocre. He’s fine, I guess, as a Premier League backup, but he’s not bringing anything to the table that a younger player at the same position would. Giving him a four-year deal will always be a head-scratcher for me. As for those of you who’d rather he start over Hector Bellerin, I just don’t see it.
- Nicolas Pepe had a quieter outing tonight. He was great in the other two Europa League matches and wasn’t as good against Dundalk. That maddening inconsistency is what makes him so frustrating as a player.
- Alex Runarsson could have and probably should have had both Dundalk goals. He’s a, uh, let’s say “work in progress” in goal. I really hope Bernd Leno stays healthy.
- Great to see Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers back on the pitch after their lengthy injury layoffs.
- Another appearance, another goal for Folarin Balogun. Yes, it’s late in matches against Europa League competition, but I’ve really been impressed with him. Strong hold-up play, turns really well with the ball, and can finish. Arsenal need to do all they can to keep him at the club.
- Massive congratulations to Ben Cottrell and Miguel Azeez on their senior debuts. I feel like we say “congrats” and move on, but stop to think about it for a second. I know they’re young, but stepping onto the pitch tonight was, for both of them, what they’ve been working towards their entire lives. That must be a wonderful feeling, and I hope they and their families enjoy it. Both had nice little plays, too — Cottrell with a cheeky, gutsy chipped ball to bypass the press and start the break, Azeez with an ankle-breaker of a turn in midfield.
All told, it was a good evening for the Gunners. The knockout stage draw is on Monday, and we’ll let you know who Arsenal are paired with. The Gunners are home to Burnley on Sunday.
Loading comments...