From Aviva Stadium, we bring you all the player ratings of the Europa League clash between Dundalk and Arsenal.
It was a practice game for the Arsenal side as they travelled to the Aviva Stadium to face Dundalk in their Europa League fixture. Having won all the previous group stage matches, the Gunners already had their spot fixed in the knockout stage. Meanwhile, the Irish club sat at the bottom of the table and needed a desperate win to get three points in their European campaign. Mikel Arteta made several changes to the team and played with his best hand of youngsters who stole the show.
The game started with Edward Nketiah’s brilliant dink over Gary Rogers after a poor clearance from Andrew Boyle. We witnessed probably the best version of Mohamed Elneny after ages as he smashed a rocket just six minutes after the first goal. However, Dundalk kept on fighting and in the 22nd minute, Jordan Flores pulled one back for the struggling local side. With a tough battle ahead, the ref sent the players into the dressing rooms for the halftime.
Youngsters were enough for Arteta’s side.
The match progressed with both the teams fighting for the next goal. The visitors then fired home their third goal with two of the most flourishing young starlets combining with each other. Folarin Balogun set up nicely for Joseph Willock in the penalty box who made no mistake to slot it in the net. The former later grabbed a goal for himself with the help of Nicolas Pepe in the 80th minute.
Dundalk fought the battle well and earned themselves a late consolation goal with an impressive set-piece. Sean Hoare tucked in a header from Flores’ freekick to make it 2-4 in the 85th minute. Nevertheless, the hard work from the hosts was not enough to overpower the young-looking Arsenal side who easily managed to win.
Player ratings
Dundalk: Rogers (2), Hoare (7), Boyle (4), Cleary (5), Shields (5), Flores (8), Gannon (5), Leahy (6), McEleney (5), Duffy (6), McMillan (5).
Bench: Kelly (4), Colovic (6), Mountney (5), Gartland (6), Wynne (6).
Arsenal: Runarsson (3), Mari (6), Mustafi (6), Chambers (6), Soares (5), Maitland-Niles (5), Elneny (9), Rowe (5), Willock (8), Nketiah (8), Pepe (5).
Bench: Azeez (6), Cottrell (6), Ceballos (6), Balogun (8).
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