By Richard C. Banda
Arsenal took more than half an hour to test Dundalk
goalkeeper Gary Rogers in a 3-0 win at the Emirates on Thursday night Europa
League group stage encounter. Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Nicolas Pepe found
the back of the net for the Gunners in what proved to be an unconvincing win
for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Reiss Nelson’s corner kick gave Eddie Nketiah a brilliant
chance to step in the box and stamp a simple tap-in from a close range, before Willock
put Arsenal on the driving seat with a 2-0 victory before the break.
Nicolas Pepe buried the game with a stunning strike to put
the Gunners on a firing front. Even though Arsenal found the back of the net
three time. Their perfomacne was not really convincing considering the number
of shots they had on goal and how they dominated possession.
Player ratings
Arsenal: Runarsson (6), Cedric (6), Mustafi (6),
Xhaka (6), Kolasinac (7), Maitland-Niles (5), Willock (8), Elneny (6), Pepe
(7), Nketiah (6), Nelson (7).
Subs: Ceballos (6), Willian (6), Tierney (6), Balogun (6).
Dundalk: Rogers (5), Gartland (6), Boyle (7), Cleary (5), Mountney (6),
Murray (5), Shields (7), McEleney (7), Dummigan (6), Hoban (6), Duffy (6).
Subs: Sloggett (5), Flores (5), Hoare (6), Gannon (6), Colovic (6).
Man of the match: Joe Willock
Mourinho Slams Spurs Players
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho poured some scorn on his
players after they slumber to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Royal Antwerp.
Jose Mourinho was asked about Delli Alli missing chances
during the match, and he refused to single him out, highlighting that it was a
collective performance.
"I don't want to analyse individually," he said.
"It's fair to say that players with bad performances
influence the team but also a team influence individual performances. It's not
for me to individualise and bring some names to the table. You can do that
yourself. You always tell me 'why is this player not playing, why is this
player not playing' - maybe you don't ask me that for a few weeks as you have
the answer.
Giving a review on his half time substitutions Mourinho
said; "I would like to make 11 [changes]! I didn't make five as I was
afraid of a long 45 minutes.
"There is only one person to blame, that's me. I chose
the players to start. At half-time, I tried to improve the situation but it was
not enough. The dynamic of the first half was there, it was difficult to
change.
Comments