Qarabag 0-3 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points, UEFA Europa League 2018-19

Qarabag FK v Arsenal - UEFA Europa League - Group E

#3 Emery tinkers with the formation

Qarabag FK v Arsenal - UEFA Europa League - Group E
Guendouzi celebrates his debut goal

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.

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