Football news - Alexandre Lacazette strike helps young Arsenal side see off Qarabag
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ByEurosport
Updated 14/12/2018 at 00:08 GMT
Europa League Group E, Emirates Stadium - Arsenal 1 (Lacazette 17') Qarabag 0
Europa League - Group Stage - Group E - Arsenal v Qarabag - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 13, 2018 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring their first goal with Mesut Ozil
Image credit: Reuters
Alexandre Lacazette's first-half strike proved decisive as Arsenal wrapped up the group stages of the Europa League with a comfortable victory over Qarabag at the Emirates on Thursday.
The Frenchman was only one of two players to retain their places from the side that overcame Huddersfield on Saturday and he broke the deadlock on 17-minutes with the returning Mesut Ozil registering the assist.
Arsenal had already sealed top spot in Group E prior to kick-off, allowing Unai Emery to ring the changes, with Laurent Koscielny handed his first start since May, while 17-year-old Bukayo Saka impressed on his full debut.
The youngster produced a lively and energetic performance but spurned a golden opportunity to break the record as the club's youngest scorer in Europe meaning Arsenal had to settle for just the one-goal winning margin.
Victory extends Arsenal's unbeaten run to an amazing 22 games and they top the pool with five wins out of a possible six. They enter Monday's last-32 draw as one of the favourites to go all the way.
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Mesut Ozil of Arsenal is tackled by Mahir Madatov of Qarabag during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT
A productive night for Emery's young and returning faces
With a packed domestic schedule in the festive calendar, Emery used this dead-rubber as an opportunity to grant his young and returning players a chance to impress.
Koscielny was handed some much needed game time, while Ozil was thrown back into the action away from the spotlight, registering an assist and playing some incisive passes along the way.
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Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal is helped into his coat by team mate Matteo Guendouzi during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
But 17 year-old Saka stole the show with a really promising performance in midfield. The only ingredient missing from a top display was the goal that would have made him a history-maker.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Grew in confidence as the game went on. Was a real livewire in attack, using pace and skill to run at defenders and create openings for crosses and shots. It's just a real pity he wasn't able to cap a performance that belied his tender age with a goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
Arsenal: Martinez 5, Jenkinson 6, Sokratis 6, Koscielny 6, Maitland-Niles 6, Elneny 6, Willock 6, Saka 8, Ozil 7, Lacazette 7, Nketiah 7. Subs: Medley 5, Monreal 5, Gilmour N/A.
Qarabag: Vagner 6, Medvedev 6, Rzezniczak 5, Sadygov 5, Huseynov 5, Guerrier 6, Slavchev 5, Garayev 5, Michel 5, Madatov 5, Zoubir 5. Subs: Abdullayev 5, Ozobic 5, Quintana 5.
KEY MOMENTS
17' - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Qarabag: Lacazette breaks the deadlock! The home side's high-press sees Nketiah win the ball from a defender. Ozil pounces and feeds a pass through to the Frenchman. He takes a couple of touches before slotting the ball past Vagner.
76' - GOAL DISALLOWED! A glimpse into the future as Arsenal's two youngsters combine to find the net. The goal, unfortunately, isn't going to count though. It's really confident from Saka; he drops the shoulder to beat a defender before curling in a cross with the outside of his foot to find Nketiah who heads in from close range. The offside flag is up, however.
89' - WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY! Oh my, Saka really ought to score here. Arsenal break on the right flank. Nketiah delivers a pin-point pass to the youngster in the middle. He has all of the goal to aim for but hits it straight at Vagner, who saves with his face!
KEY STATS
- Arsenal are unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions (W17 D5 L0) last losing against Chelsea back in August – the Gunners longest unbeaten run since November 2007 (a club record 28 games).
- Qarabag have now lost all six of their meetings with English sides in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 1-18.
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