Vorskla Poltava 0 Arsenal 3 : Saka Becomes Youngest Nigerian To Debut For Arsenal, Feature In Europa League
Published: November 29, 2018
Bukayo Saka was in action for 22 minutes Thursday evening as Arsenal who did not parade Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi defeated Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava 3-0 to top Group E of the UEFA Europa League with a game to spare.
The Match day 5 game played at the NSK Olimpijs in Kiev amid rising political tensions in Ukraine began with the home having the early chances to trouble their guests but it was Arsenal who rather scored first in the 11th minute through Emile Smith Rowe who swept home a loose ball after good work by Aaron Ramsey and Eddie Nketiah.
Ramsey doubled the Gunners' lead in the 27th minute from the penalty spot after he was fouled in the box.
Joe Willock scored his first senior goal for Arsenal four minutes before the break when he stroked home the ball beautifully off a great pass from Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal's supposed fourth goal 'scored' by Rowe was ruled out for offside.
Young French international of Moroccan descent Mattéo Guendouzi also went off in the second half leaving largely a youthful Arsenal side with few experienced heads to battle it out with the Ukrainians.
Saka was flagged offside two minutes to full time and a minute later he teed up Joe Willock whose shot was deflected for a corner kick.
Vorskla Poltava produced a rare moment of brilliance in the added time as Brazilian forward Nicolas Careca unleashed an effort which fizzled off target by whiskers.
The Match day 5 game played at the NSK Olimpijs in Kiev amid rising political tensions in Ukraine began with the home having the early chances to trouble their guests but it was Arsenal who rather scored first in the 11th minute through Emile Smith Rowe who swept home a loose ball after good work by Aaron Ramsey and Eddie Nketiah.
Ramsey doubled the Gunners' lead in the 27th minute from the penalty spot after he was fouled in the box.
Joe Willock scored his first senior goal for Arsenal four minutes before the break when he stroked home the ball beautifully off a great pass from Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal's supposed fourth goal 'scored' by Rowe was ruled out for offside.
Saka was introduced in the 68th minute replacing Ramsey for his senior Arsenal debut as head coach Unai Emery apparently elected to substitute his few first team players on duty for those in the youth ranks some minutes after Rob Holding went off.
In doing so, he overtook Chuba Akpom as the youngest player of Nigerian descent to debut for Arsenal, aged 17 years, 2 months, 24 days as well as became the youngest player of Nigerian descent to feature in the Europa League.
Saka rattled the palms of Vorskla goalkeeper Bogdan Shust five minutes after his introduction with a left footed shot winning a corner kick in the process.Young French international of Moroccan descent Mattéo Guendouzi also went off in the second half leaving largely a youthful Arsenal side with few experienced heads to battle it out with the Ukrainians.
Saka was flagged offside two minutes to full time and a minute later he teed up Joe Willock whose shot was deflected for a corner kick.
Vorskla Poltava produced a rare moment of brilliance in the added time as Brazilian forward Nicolas Careca unleashed an effort which fizzled off target by whiskers.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Photo Credit : arsenal.com
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