HIGHLIGHT 》Arsenal player ratings vs Girona: Stop that, Ethan Nwaneri! Gunners’ wonderkid secures Champions League last-16 berth despite Neto’s nightmare debut

Arsenal player ratings vs Girona: Stop that, Ethan Nwaneri! Gunners’ wonderkid secures Champions League last-16 berth despite Neto’s nightmare debut

Player ratingsArsenalE. NwaneriChampions

The 17-year-old struck the winner in Catalunya after his goalkeeper was at fault for the home side opened the scoring

Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League last 16 as Ethan Nwaneri produced yet another star turn against Girona, with the teenager’s stunning strike earning the Gunners a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side took early control as Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard both put efforts wide, only for the hosts to break the deadlock when Arnaut Danjuma broke the offside trap and curled a 40-yard effort past debutant Neto, who was stranded miles out of his goal. Arsenal were only behind for 10 minutes, though, as Jorginho converted from the penalty spot after Thomas Partey had been tripped.

Nwaneri then produced his moment of magic shortly before half-time as he cut inside from the right and fired a 20-yard effort into the bottom corner, before Trossard hit the crossbar moments later. The second half proved to be slightly less eventful, though Christian Stuani did have an equaliser ruled out for offside before Raheem Sterling had a penalty saved by Pau Lopez in stoppage-time.

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Goalkeeper & Defence

Neto (3/10):

Almost gave the ball away in no man’s land with his first touch before finding himself midway inside his own half as Danjuma fired past him. Showed decent handling thereafter, but still a debut to forget.

Thomas Partey (6/10):

Struggled to deal with Danjuma at times and lost the winger for Girona’s opener. Redeemed himself with some enterprising forward runs and won the penalty after dribbling through the home defence. Replaced at half-time.

Jakub Kiwior (5/10):

Caught out of position for Danjuma’s goal and didn’t always look secure when defending one-on-one. Also a little lucky that Stuani’s strike was ruled out as he lost the striker at the back post.

Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):

Commanding in defence as he led the backline well.

Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):

Caused problems going forward and unfortunate to have a goal disallowed for offside. Still has work to do defensively.

Midfield

Jorginho (8/10):

Made a superb block to keep Danjuma from making it 2-0 before equalising from the spot. Neat and tidy in possession, as always.

Mikel Merino (7/10):

Kept things ticking over in midfield. Not overly flashy, but did what was required.

Martin Odegaard (7/10):

Had a couple of flashy turns and oozed class in possession. Potentially a risk to play him in a relatively meaningless game, but he came through unscathed.

Attack

Ethan Nwaneri (9/10):

A livewire from the very start as he caused plenty of problems cutting in from the right-hand side. Superb long-range goal capped a superb showing.

Leandro Trossard (6/10):

Missed an early sitter amid a slow start to the game, but began to get more involved as Arsenal took control. Smashed the crossbar late in the first half.

Raheem Sterling (5/10):

Looked more comfortable coming inside from the left and caused some problems with his dribbling. Booked for diving before missing a late penalty on another forgettable night.

Subs & Manager

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Missed a sitter moments after coming on at half-time, but was much more secure defensively than Partey as he largely locked down Danjuma.

Kai Havertz (6/10):

Stung Lopez’s palms with a drilled effort after coming on for Trossard.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):

Replaced Calafiori for the final 20 minutes.

Declan Rice (N/A):

Helped see out the game late on.

Gabriel Martinelli (N/A):

Gave Nwaneri the final five minutes off.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

Gave some fringe players a run out while getting the job done. Neto’s display will worry him, but otherwise a solid night’s work.