Girona 1-2 Arsenal: Nwaneri Gets First Champions League Goal as Gunners Book Automatic Qualifying Spot

Share:

Arsenal completed their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign by sealing a top-eight spot courtesy of a 2-1 win away at Spanish side, Girona, on Wednesday night.

The Gunners had secured qualification into the knockout rounds prior to kick-off, allowing manager, Mikel Arteta, to name a much-changed side – handing goalkeeper Neto his debut with David Raya not fit to play.

It was Girona that got the breakthrough, though, as former Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspurs attacker, Arnaut Danjuma, opened the scoring for the Spaniards after 28 minutes, following an error from Neto.

However, Girona, who had already been eliminated in their maiden Champions League campaign, soon squandered their lead as Jorginho levelled from the spot after Thomas Partey was fouled inside the penalty area.

The Gunners were in front three minutes before half-time when teenager Ethan Nwaneri, making his first Champions League start, cut in from the right to score his sixth Arsenal goal and first in the competition to secure all three points.

With the goal, the rising 17-year-old midfielder became the second-youngest English player to score in the competition after Jude Bellingham.

Cristian Stuani thought he had equalised in the second half for Girona when he slid in at the far post to put the ball in the net on his 273rd club appearance, only for VAR to rule out his effort for offside in the build-up.

The visitors then had the chance to put the icing on the cake when Alejandro Frances handled the ball to give Arsenal a stoppage-time penalty, but Raheem Sterling missed from 12 yards as Pau Lopez dived low to save.

Following the win, Arsenal will face either Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan or PSV in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

join our community

Join our community at SportsDey and get the best sports content delivered straight to you.