Arsenal want a striker. That is most likely the obvious reality in soccer proper now. Throughout their final two Premier League video games they’ve failed to attain, slumping 13 factors behind Liverpool within the race for the title.
So, coming into their last-16 tie with PSV Eindhoven within the Champions League, there was little pleasure, expectation, or noise surrounding the Gunners’ hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
An away journey to the Philips Stadion hasn’t been form to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, having didn’t win there through the course of their final 5 visits, relationship again to 2002.
Nicely, a spark was discovered on Tuesday night, one which was a lot wanted contemplating the rut they’ve discovered themselves in.
This was an Arsenal facet with objective, with swagger, with power. It was like watching the primary few years of Arteta’s reign, simply with out Bukayo Saka in tow.
In fact, the efficiency within the Netherlands this week was nothing wanting unbelievable. The Londoners got here away from their European exploits with a 7-1 win. It was the most important away win within the knock-out levels of the competitors in its complete historical past.
The most important positives from Arsenal’s win over PSV
This was a recreation full of pleasure. That is actually not a sentence that had been true of Arsenal in February. But, a brand new month brings new hopes and Arteta’s facet have already got one foot within the door of the quarter-finals the place both Actual Madrid or Atletico Madrid await.
Nonetheless, let’s keep within the current for now as for as soon as, the teaching workers have quite a few positives.
The most important was maybe the return to type of Martin Odegaard. Earlier than Tuesday, the Norwegian had only one open play aim all season however discovered the web twice within the second half to cap off what was most likely his finest show all time period.
Declan Rice did not discover himself on the scoresheet however he was a monster in the course of the park. He by no means stopped working and was key in Arsenal opening the scoring, crossing to the again stick the place Jurrien Timber made it 1-0 in his homeland.
Myles Lewis-Skelly did must be withdrawn earlier than the break in concern he would obtain one other crimson card, lucky to not be proven a second yellow at one stage, however his alternative in Riccardo Calafiori solely proved how robust Arsenal’s depth is.
Imagine it or not, the Italian left-back discovered the web having surged down the right-hand channel, latching onto a scrumptious help from Odegaard earlier than discovering the web on his weaker foot.
Additionally on the rating sheet was Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard however the greatest optimistic was undoubtedly Ethan Nwaneri once more. We’re working out of superlatives for him…
Ethan Nwaneri’s defining night time in Eindhoven
It is laborious to imagine that this younger lad is simply 17 years of age. The footballing world has spoken at nice size about Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal over the past yr however Nwaneri can be on a path to stardom, having capped off an excellent 2025 so far by scoring Arsenal’s second of the night.
Since Saka’s hamstring damage, Arteta has wanted gamers to face up and within the teenage sensation, they’ve discovered one other famous person.
Nwaneri is the membership’s third-top scorer with eight this time period, 4 of which have come since he grew to become an everyday starter throughout Saka’s absence.
In fact, they miss the Englishman’s dynamism within the closing third however Hale Finish has produced one other gem who’s proving he may very well be each bit as influential sooner or later.
The scorer of a aim in again to again Champions League ties now, it was one other dazzling night time for Nwaneri who’s emulating among the finest younger gamers we have seen in Europe.
Certainly, he grew to become the second-youngest Arsenal participant (17 years 348 days) to seem in a Champions League knockout stage recreation after Cesc Fabregas (17 years 309 days) whereas the proficient teen is the third English teenager to begin a recreation within the knockout phases of Europe’s premier competitors earlier than turning 18 after Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
|
Nwaneri vs PSV |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes performed |
71 |
|
Touches |
24 |
|
Correct passes |
6/9 (67%) |
|
Pictures on the right track |
2 |
|
Pictures off track |
1 |
|
Profitable dribbles |
1/1 |
|
Correct crosses |
1/3 |
|
Duels received |
2/4 |
|
Possession misplaced |
7x |
|
Stats through Sofascore. |
|
Like Bellingham, who starred for Dortmund on this event on the identical age, he’s actually following within the £150m-rated megastar’s sneakers.
In scoring on Tuesday, Nwaneri grew to become the third youngest scorer in Champions League knockout historical past behind Bojan Krkic and Bellingham. It is secure to say he is fairly rattling particular.
So, what’s subsequent for this audacious teen? Nicely, England may very well be calling. Thomas Tuchel quickly names his first squad and you would be hard-pressed to seek out many who recommend he is not deserving of a spot.
After one other night time the place the 17-year-old seemed a category above everybody else on the pitch, the Three Lions and certainly Arsenal might have the subsequent Bellingham on their fingers; a big-money teenage famous person within the making who’s able to take European and worldwide soccer by storm.
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When you thought Ethan Nwaneri was Arsenal’s most enjoyable younger expertise then assume once more.