UEFA Youth League alum Jurrien Timber watches Nwaneri score Arsenal's first UYL goal in 7 years 

Recuperating Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber was in attendance at Meadow Park in Hertfordshire as Arsenal began their UEFA Youth League campaign with a 2-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday afternoon.

Timber is an alumnus of the UEFA Youth League as he played seven matches in the competition in the 2018-2019 season before breaking into the first team of Ajax Amsterdam.

Two players of Nigerian descent were on parade at Meadow Park, with Ethan Nwaneri making his full debut for the Gunners in the UEFA Youth League and Lagos-born centre-back Emmanuel van de Blaak going the distance for the Dutch team. 

Nwaneri gave the home side the lead in the 31st minute when he made the most of the ball in the 18-yard box before finding the bottom right corner.

Emir Bars restored parity for the Dutch side in the 41st minute through a deflected before Jason van Duiven got the winner in the 69th minute.

Nwaneri's strike against PSV was Arsenal's first goal in the UEFA Youth League since December 6, 2016 when Eddie Nketiah netted in a 1-1 draw at Basel. 

It has been an impressive start to the campaign for the Anglo-Nigerian midfielder who has become a vital player for Arsenal's development side.

The 16-year-old has started  all Premier League 2 games for Mehmet Ali's side and has notched 4 goals and one assist.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
 

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