Ostersunds FK 0 Arsenal 3: Iwobi Stars As Gero's Team Suffers Heavy Loss

Arsenal brushed aside swedish opponents, Ostersunds 3-0 in their UEFA Europa league clash at the Jankraft Arena on Thursday evening.

Alex Iwobi started for the Gunners for his third appearance in the competition this season while his compatriot, Alhaji Gero was in action for Ostersunds.

Nacho Monreal broke the deadlock for Arsenal after 13 minutes, the full-back pouncing on an Iwobi's shot which was spilled by the Ostersunds goalkeeper, Aly Keita to tuck home the opener.

The hosts became the architect of their own downfall as it became 2-0 moments later when Sotiris Papagiannopoulos deflected into his own net after Henrikh Mkhitaryan had stolen in to retrieve possession and strike at goal.

Mesut Ozil added another to make it three just before the hour mark, Keita failing to keep out a low shot from the German after Mkhitaryan had combined brilliantly.

There was still time for David Ospina to get down to his right and smother a very poor Tom Patterson's penalty after Bellerin had brought down Saman Ghoddos in the box as the Premier League outfit took a commanding lead into the second leg.

While Gero was replaced after 46 minutes of action, Iwobi went the full duration of the game.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : arsenal.com