Arsenal ended their Europa League Group B season with a 100% record as they overcame Dundalk in messy conditions at the Aviva Stadium.
Eddie Nketiah awarded his side the opener when he clipped his shot past Gary Rogers after an error by Andrew Boyle. At the 18th minutes, Mohamed Elneny doubles the advantage with a superb strike before Jordan Flores made it 2-1 with an angled shot.
Later on, Joe Willock and Folarin Balogun for the Gunners before Sean Hoare grabbed a second for the hosts, Dundalk.
“Today’s performance was overall positive because we won the game”. Said Mikel Arteta.
“However, we had some moments after scoring the first two goals where we were a little bit disconnected and we got a little bit confused by what the game required”.
Nketiah Makes it Through the Auditions.
Although this was a dead rubber, the players selected in Dublin had the chance to prove to their coach and their Arsenal fans that they could be the ones to change the misfiring team’s fortunes in the Premier League.
However, there was only a handful who made a strong claim. Of the attackers, striker Nketiah probably made the strongest claim to be in the XI against Burnley on Sunday. The 21-year-old who has not started a league game since 4th October became the club’s top scorer this season on five goals with his opener. Additionally, he produces four other efforts.
Full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles and midfielder Emile Smith Rowe formed a good partnership on the left with Arsenal looking most dangerous when they broke down the flank.
Consequently, midfielder Willock made a good impression once more. He took his low effort well while the 19-year-old substitute Balogun kept his composure for his side-foot finish.
At the back, Calum Chambers was making his first start following his cruciate injury last year. He made an outstanding block at 2-1 to deny Darragh Leahy an almost certain equalizer.