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Scorers: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (4'), Emile Smith-Rowe (53'), Matteo Guendouzi (79')
An eighth win on the trot for Arsenal means that the Unai Emery experiment is slowly starting to take shape at the club. Europa League ties are often arduous in nature and Arsenal had to travel to Baku, Azerbaijan where they took on the hosts.
Arsenal’s fresh start has been much to ponder about, but with some comprehensive results behind them, Emery can look forward to a much more refreshing international break after the current weekend’s round of Premier League games.
For Qarabag, the only highlight of their game was how they matched Arsenal shot for shot on the goal. Thereafter it was the superior class and quality of the Gunners side that prevailed in this encounter.
#1 Emile Smith-Rowe makes it a memorable night
Emery handed the 18-year-old his first European start in the game, having come on as a substitute in Arsenal's opening Europa League match. The winger who has been in the news because of his impressive performances didn’t disappoint on the night and was rightly rewarded with a goal. The forward was among the front three with Iwobi and Welbeck the others.
And it was a fine moment for the teenager when all three forwards combined to help Smith-Rowe score his goal. The calmness with which the youngster finished beyond the keeper was admirable given that this was his first full senior appearance.
The move started with Welbeck winning a flick-on before Iwobi racing downfield and playing a pass for the youngster to finish. Smith-Rowe could have opened his account earlier in the game having slid in at the far post in the opening stages. The youngster was replaced by Mesut Ozil in the 65th minute and was a lively presence throughout the game.
#2 Defensive lapses cost Qarabag dearly
Having started the game in the most awful manner by conceding an early goal to Arsenal defender Sokratis, Qarabag were always playing catch up. It took some time for the home team to come out of the blocks and it was only as the game progressed, that Qarabag found the urge to drive at the Arsenal defence in numbers.
The Qarabag team contains various numbers of nationalities and it was good to see the team taking the game to the visitors. Emeghara had an early penalty waved away as he tried to gain the referee’s attention in the box and at times the disparity among the sides was quite exposed.
To put it in context, Arsenal’s bench strength was more expensive than the entire home team put together. Games like these are a test of character for both sides.
#3 Emery tinkers with the formation
Arsenal’s initial formation gave the home team more opportunities or at least the chance for the Qarabag attackers to pick out holes in the defence. However, Emery, who adores this competition, was quick to recognize his folly and reverted to his tried and tested formation of 4-4-2.
The introduction of substitutes such as Lacazette, Torreira, and Ozil in the latter stages of the game was recognition of that with Arsenal already leading 2 goals to the good when the trio came on.
And the experimentation of the Spaniard is set to continue, with twenty different players have scored for Arsenal in the Europa League since the start of last season (excluding own-goals), nine more than any other team.
By handing a starting debut to the teenager Smith-Rowe, the Spaniard made the English winger the youngest player to score for Arsenal in a competitive game since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Olympiakos in 2011.
#4 Qarabag’s European record needs to improve
Medvedev and Ozobic were the closest who came to scoring for the home team in the opening half and having picked themselves up after the opening goal, the home team continued to attack. And they were almost rewarded with a goal in the opening minutes of the second half with Madatov finding the goal only to be declared offside.
Thereafter, it was only from set-pieces that they were a threat. Emeghara did get a chance but Leno was quick off his line to smother the shot. The midfield was non-existent and Gurbanov will need to shore up that area if they are to obtain any joy in this competition. This loss was their fourth consecutive loss in the competition making it their worst ever run in the competition.
#5 Impressive momentum for the Gunners
The Gunners next face Fulham at Craven Cottage and will be upbeat having secured their eighth win on the bounce. They will look to extend that run for sure.
Emery also experimented with a 3-4-3 formation with Kolasinac making a first appearance this season, having been injured earlier. Leno continued in goal and was impressive as well. Emery’s side are now leading their group with 6 points and will next face Sporting Lisbon at the end of this month.
