Arsenal 4-2 Vorskla: 3 Talking Points from Europa League tie

Arsenal v Vorskla Poltava - UEFA Europa League - Group E
Arsenal v Vorskla Poltava - UEFA Europa League - Group E

SCORE: (Aubameyang 32', 56'; Welbeck 48'; Ozil 74') ARSENAL 4-2 VOSKLA (Chesnakov 76'; Sharpar 93')


Arsenal got their Europa League campaign underway with a comprehensive win over FC Vorskla Poltava. After failing to make it to a Champions League qualification spot last season, finishing 6th on the Premier League table, the Gunners made their first appearance in Europe under new manager Unai Emery.

Arsenal had failed to get their hands on European silverware in 22 years under Arsene Wenger, coming closest in 2006 when they lost the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Last season, Arsenal made it to the semi-final stage - losing to the eventual champions Atletico Madrid. With a lot of work still to be done, Emery will be looking to conquer the Europa League to get the support of the fans over to his side.

Arsenal have been drawn alongside the likes of Qarabag and Sporting in Group E, and have got three points after one game played. Here are the talking points from the game in which they ran out comfortable winners:


#3 Leno, Torreira start

Arsenal v Vorskla Poltava - UEFA Europa League - Group E
Torreira handed a start alongside Bernd Leno

Arsenal made 5 signings in the summer after the arrival of their new manager. Among them were the goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Uruguayan anchor in midfield Lucas Torreira.

Torreira has captured the imagination of Arsenal fans after it felt like they'd finally managed to land a proper holding midfielder after failing to replace the inimitable Patrick Viera since 2005.

The Uruguayan has not been drafted into the starting lineup permanently by Emery, often coming off the bench to help Arsenal to three points - particularly against West Ham and Newcastle.

A lot of people associated with the club had been calling for him to start games more regularly after putting in good performances for Arsenal. They finally got their wish when the manager handed starts to both the German Leno in goal, and Lucas Torriera in midfield.

#2 Auba brace

Arsenal v Vorskla Poltava - UEFA Europa League - Group E
Two wonderfully-taken goals by Aubameyang

Aubameyang is arguably the biggest signing Arsenal have made in the last half-decade or so. After losing Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United in the winter transfer window last season, the North London side lured the Gabonese international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund.

He is widely regarded as one of the most potent strikers in world football and he showed just why - bagging another brace in the red and white for Arsenal. The first goal was clinically finished off first-time after Iwobi played the ball across the opposition penalty box from a flowing counter-attacking move by the Gunners.

The second was even better, as he knocked the ball beyond the defender and then finessed it into the back of the net, finding a gap between the keeper and his near post.

#1 Arsenal defensive woes continue

Arsenal v Vorskla Poltava - UEFA Europa League - Group E
Arsenal allow the visitors to help themselves to two goals at the Emirates.

Arsenal have yet failed to manage to keep a single clean sheet ever since Unai Emery took over. The North London outfit has been credited with some scintillating football, more often than not. Just as often as they've been pummeled to the ground defensively, by opposition teams and fellow supporters alike.

There was an expectation that the arrival of Emery would help tighten up that defence, and the arrivals of Sokratis and Stephan Lichsteiner was supposed to help that cause. The situation is far from ideal as Arsenal have conceded a goal in every game since the Spaniard took over.

Arsenal were cruising 4-0 with just the final quarter of an hour remaining on the clock. However, Arsenal got complacent and capitulated to some extent in the final fifteen minutes conceding twice in the same time, taking the gloss off what could've been the perfect start to life in the Europa League this season.

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