Arsenal’s rising star, Ethan Nwaneri, made a significant impact in his first full Champions League start, scoring the match-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Girona. The result secured Arsenal’s direct qualification to the round of 16, allowing them to bypass the playoff stage.
With a heavily rotated squad, Arsenal initially found themselves trailing after Arnaut Danjuma struck from outside the box. However, the Gunners responded swiftly.
Jorginho converted a penalty to level the score, and shortly before halftime, Nwaneri displayed his skill by curling a precise shot into the far corner, giving Arsenal the lead.
Girona thought they had restored parity in the second half when Cristhian Stuani found the net, but VAR intervened, ruling the goal offside. Arsenal had an opportunity to extend their lead when they won another penalty, but Raheem Sterling’s attempt was denied.
Despite the missed chance, Arsenal managed to hold on to their advantage and secure the win, finishing third in the league phase standings.
This victory provides Arsenal with much-needed breathing space, as they now avoid a two-legged knockout tie and head straight into the Champions League’s round of 16.
It also allows Mikel Arteta’s squad to focus on upcoming domestic challenges, including their Carabao Cup semifinal fixture and their Premier League campaign, where they are chasing Liverpool.
The match featured several strong performances from Arsenal’s players. According to FotMob’s ratings, Leandro Trossard stood out with a team-high 7.8/10, while Jorginho and Nwaneri both earned impressive 7.6/10 ratings for their contributions. Defensive efforts were solid, with Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino each receiving 7.5/10 for their displays.
In terms of substitutions, Jurrien Timber came on for Thomas Partey at halftime and earned a 6.8/10, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kai Havertz were introduced in the 70th minute, receiving 6.5/10 and 6.4/10, respectively. Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli also featured late in the game but had minimal impact.
Overall, Arsenal’s victory over Girona was a crucial result that secured their path forward in Europe. Nwaneri’s standout moment will be a memorable highlight in his young career, while Arteta’s squad can now shift their focus to upcoming challenges in both domestic and continental competitions.
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