SAN FRANCISCO, October 29, (THEWILL) – English Premier League side Arsenal continued their winning ways in the second game of this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage as they beat Dundalk 3-0 at home in the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta made 10 bold changes to the side that lost 1-0 at home to Leicester City at the weekend. Though they were kept at bay for 42 minutes by the effective and efficient rearguard of their visitors, things changed after that.
The first effort of the match went to Irish central midfielder Patrick McEleney, who tested Arsenal debut keeper Alex Runarsson. Dundalk were showing from the outset that they were prepared to work the ball forward rather than simply clear their lines.
Arsenal found it difficult to pick their way through a packed visiting defence and it was not for want of trying. However, English forward Edward Nketiah got the opener three minutes before half-time. The 21-year old turned the ball home from point-blank range after Dundalk Irish goalkeeper Gary Rogers made a mess of an attempted punch.
The visitors were punished further barely 90 seconds later when Willock fired high into the net after Nketiah and Nicolas Pepe led a swift counter in Dundalk’s half. There was little recovery time between the two goals.
Any miraculous thoughts of a comeback were quashed just a minute after the restart. Ivorian right winger Pepe took a clever touch and curled a beautiful effort into the top-right corner from the edge of the Dundalk box.
Later, Nketiah received the ball from Cedric Soares’ truly stunning cross but missed the sitter waiting for him to prod home, and the lively Reiss Nelson teed up Kieran Tierney only for the Scotsman to blast over.
However, at that time, the fight was gone from the Irish champions.
Maximum six points from two games, places Arsenal firmly on track to reach the next round as they prepare for back-to-back meetings with Molde.
Arteta might not have been thrilled with their first-half performance, but this was still an efficient job by a much-changed Gunners side – and this time, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was not even needed.
Having been organised and disciplined until half-time, it was a disappointing way for Dundalk to spoil their excellent early work in the end, capitulating to defensive errors that cost them the game.
Arsenal are away against United on Sunday before hosting Molde next week. Dundalk, on the other hand, travel to St Patrick’s Athletic before next Thursday’s game with Rapid Vienna.
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.
