UEFA Europa League 2018-19, Arsenal 1-0 Qarabag: 5 Talking Points

Lacazette fired the winner for Arsenal
Lacazette fired the winner for Arsenal

4. Arsenal’s fringe players give a good account of themselves

Willock looked a part again
Willock looked a part again

The Gunners had done all the hard work in their group earlier, and hence could afford to relax in their last group outing. With first place assured, Emery decided to ring the changes and handed starts to several players on the periphery.

Mailtand-Niles and Jenkinson started in the full-back roles and were untroubled defensively. Offensively, though they provided a decent outlet, both would’ve wanted to come up with a better end-product.

In the midfield, Willock put in an accomplished performance alongside Elneny. The former bagged his first goal in the win against Vorskla and displayed immense poise in his second consecutive start in Europe.

However, the best performers for the Gunners were up front. Saka was marvelous, with Nketiah also strengthening his case for a more regular role in the first-team.

The Gunners having qualified with games to spare, Emery was accorded the chance to test out his younger crop and over the course of the last two games, one can safely say that the starlets have done their credentials no harm.

Arsenal have some bright prospects in their midst and it is now up to them to nurture the lot and extract every ounce of talent.

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