Arsenal 4-2 Vorskla Poltava
by Harry Corton 
at Ashburton Grove 

ARSENAL opened their Europa League campaign on Thursday with a comfortable 4-2 victory against Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava making it four successive wins for the Gunners.

For Unai Emery’s side, the search for a first clean sheet under the new manager continues, succumbing to two late goals which provided the only negative for the manager in what was otherwise an encouraging performance.

“Our disappointment is the two goals we conceded,” Emery rued afterwards.

“It’s one thing we talk about before each match, to take a mentality of not conceding chances easily. We are happy because our first (European) match here is very important to win.” 

The build-up to the first goal came off an impressive counter-attack. Henrikh Mhikitaryan intercepted possession and spread a pass left to Alex Iwobi making a bursting run down the flank.

Looking up, he found Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang in the middle and the Gabon striker coolly finished the move.

Aubameyang could have doubled his tally before the break only to have his long-range shot denied by the woodwork.

The Gunners’ transition into the second period was seamless, continuing to dominate possession and create chances.

Soon enough, Mkhitaryan’s inswinging cross located Danny Welbeck in the middle who rarely fails to miss such a gift of an opportunity to head the ball home. This was no exception and the Englishman made it 2-0 with his second goal in four games.

Minutes later, the hosts had the game firmly put to bed.

Aubameyang again, refusing to be disheartened by his effort that hit the post before the interval, struck another thunderbolt from outside the box.

He was able to tuck the ball inside the upright this time but well beyond the reach of the visitors’ goalkeeper.

A fourth goal soon followed as Stephan Lichsteiner was brought into the offensive fold for the first time. The right back patiently lifted the bouncing ball over the advancing keeper and found the boot of Mesut Ozil waiting among a sea of Vorskla bodies in the middle. The German found the back of the net with a deft flick of the studs.

Despite the all too predictably meagre attendance but buoyed by some eye-catching performances, particularly that of Emile Smith-Rowe coming off the bench and debuts from Lucas Torreira and Bernd Leno, a feeling of quiet contentment engulfed the stadium.

However, conceding two goals in the last 15 minutes offered an important reminder that each team in this competition is here on their own merit.

Both were supremely well-taken finishes that offered Leno little chance of stopping and Emery explained his goalkeeping selection is unlikely to be impacted.

Asked about the performances of the two debutants, the Spaniard said: “Each minute Torreira is playing he’s doing very well. And Leno will take confidence too because he will continue to play next week.”

The Gunners will hope to resume this rich vein of form when they host Everton on Sunday.