- Former Tottenham loanee Arnaut Danjuma gave the hosts a shock 1-0 lead
- Jorginho then equalised from the spot earlier than Ethan Nwaneri scored in fashion
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Does Mikel Arteta need a striker?
Properly, having had a bid rejected for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins earlier within the day, Arteta caught Kai Havertz – his solely recognised striker – on the bench on Wednesday night time.
Towards Girona, that’s no qualms. Arsenal’s second objective, a shocking end by teenager Ethan Nwaneri, was the spotlight. It confirmed a spot within the prime eight for the Gunners, which places them mechanically by means of to the Champions League final 16.
However, extra broadly, the beginning line-up mirrored a transparent message to the north London membership’s hierarchy: get that money prepared.
Leandro Trossard had some vivid moments in Havertz’s place – however that’s not sustainable going ahead. It’s a not a like-for-like swap.
Havertz, who got here on after 70 minutes, has struck 14 targets this season, although placing the load on one recognised centre-forward throughout a complete season might quickly nicely be problematic.
Ethan Nwaneri’s first objective within the Champions League was sufficient to present Arsenal a 2-1 victory
It was a powerful show from the 17-year-old who’s giving Mikel Arteta selections to make
Jorginho transformed his penalty calmly to equalise after Arnaut Danjuma’s shock opener
The joy from the Arsenal fan base on the mere replace {that a} bid was put in for Watkins displays their desperation for an attacker, too.
Arsenal have banked £7.8million for ending within the prime eight, in addition to a £1.8m bonus – the prize for each win within the league part of the Champions League – simply from Wednesday night time alone.
The Gunners can now guide their flights to Dubai – they’ve subsequent weekend free, having been knocked out of the FA Cup – and possess further kitty within the financial institution for a marquee signing like Watkins.
If there’s any cash left over, one other goalkeeper can be a smart thought. On the proof of Wednesday night time, if David Raya, who was not match sufficient to make the bench, is injured this season, Arsenal can be in some pickle.
Neto, on a season-long mortgage from Bournemouth, grew to become the Gunners’ oldest debutant in 110 years. The 35-year-old Brazilian joined in August on deadline day.
Every contact right here was riddled with nerves. His dithering on the ball allowed ex-Watford star Arnaut Danjuma to cost him down after two minutes.
Neto bought away with it on that event, however not on 28 minutes, discovering himself yards outdoors of his field. Danjuma coolly completed. It was a poor show from begin to end.
Riccardo Calafiori, on the again of his winner towards Wolves on Saturday, beat goalkeeper Pau Lopez from shut vary — although he was offside.
Danjuma punished Neto’s poor positioning outdoors his field in a shaky efficiency from the goalkeeper
Cristhian Stuani thought he had netted the equaliser late within the sport just for VAR to rule it out
Raheem Sterling was effervescent all through however noticed his penalty in added time saved
With victory Arteta can now flip his attentions to each Manchester Metropolis and the bidding desk
A Jorginho penalty, received after Thomas Partey was fouled by Arnau Martinez, put the guests stage, earlier than Nwaneri pulled out a prime strike.
Shimmying to his left foot from outdoors the world, he whipped the ball with tempo and curve into the underside left nook.
The tempo and approach had shades of his objective towards Preston within the Carabao Cup.
Girona substitute Cristhian Stuani thought he had struck a leveller in direction of the top, however that was dominated out by the VAR, earlier than Raheem Sterling had a penalty saved in damage time.
For now, Arteta can flip his consideration again to the bidding desk.
