Arsenal needed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to come off the bench to their rescue on Thursday to get their UEFA Europa League campaign 2020/2021 off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Rapid Wien of Austria.
The Gabonese scored just four minutes after Brazilian defender David Luiz had equalised as the Gunners resolutely fought back to win the Group B away clash after a Bernd Leno howler saw them fall behind early in the second half.
It was a debut start for new signing Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey in a match from which Rapid will feel they should have earned something, with Greek goalscorer Taxiarchis Fountas unable to capitalise on further Leno errors.
Although, Rapid had 12 shots to Arsenal’s 11, they did not find the clinical edge to avenge a 6-2 aggregate defeat in their only previous meeting back in the 1991-92 European Cup.
It was a game where the best chances fell to Luiz, who saw a glancing header well saved by the Austrian Richard Strebinger in goal for Rapid, and Marcel Ritzmaier, the Austrian midfielder, whose clever backheel almost deflected beyond Leno.
It was Arsenal’s German goalie Leno that was guilty in the lead up to the opening goal. With the Gunners failing to clear under pressure, Fountas drilled a good finish into the bottom-right corner after the ball fell his way.
A similar error allowed the same Fountas to drive towards the penalty area, but Leno was aware and sharp enough to block his low strike.
With 20 minutes left in the second half, the Gunners drew level. David Luiz rose unchallenged in the heart of the Rapid penalty area to head in Ivorian Nicolas Pepe’s deep free-kick.
Four minutes later, Arsenal struck again. Their Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny slid a ball through to the Spaniard Hector Bellerin and club captain Aubameyang was on hand to tap in his cut-back.
THEWILL believes Arteta will be pleased with how his charges handled the game especially their ability to grind a positive result after going one down in the second period. It was a performance that left much to be desired but all three points were well earned.
Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Leno were some players that did not impress and the keeper’s decision-making could have lost the game for the Gunners. THEWILL believes it will be a troubling concern for Arteta for the rest of the season.
On the other hand, Thomas Partey, Arsenal’s £45million signing from Atletico Madrid, appeared comfortable at the centre of the park. He won five tackles, more than any team-mate, completed 90.2 per cent of his passes and contested 13 duels.
After Matchday 1 in Group B, Arsenal are level with Molde on three points with two goals scored and one conceded after the Norwegian side won away to Dundalk with the same margin.
Arsenal next host Leicester City this Sunday in the English Premier League while Rapid will be away to Wolfsberger AC in the Austrian Bundesliga.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
