HUGS AND KISSES
Kids stuff for Gunners in Kiev stroll
UNAI EMERY gave the wheel to his Arsenal kids and they proved that not even a bump in the road can stop them in their tracks right now.
Goals from youngsters Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and veteran Aaron Ramsey sent a youthful Gunners side cruising through as Group E winners.
But it came after the team bus suffered a breakdown on the way to the game, the latest in a series of problems that threatened to make it much harder than it was.
Switched from Poltava to the capital because of fears over the security situation in Ukraine after the imposition of martial law, it ended up being a walk in the park.
Played at a near-deserted Olimpiyskiy Stadium, it was men against boys – but the boys won, and Arsenal will now face a much easier draw in the last 32.
Defender Rob Holding said: “There were a few problems. The change of venue, and then coming to the stadium, our team bus broke down and we had to jump in the minibus to get here. But we got the result we wanted.”
Emery said: “We gave chances to young players. But we were only thinking of the best performance for us and we finish the match with the result.” With
Tottenham to come this Sunday, Emery left the big guns at home, making 10 changes.
But the 500 hardy Arsenal fans, who braved the freezing cold and nightmare journey here after the late switch, did not have to wait long for something to cheer.
Eddie Nketiah, making his first start, powered his way through the Vorskla back four.
Fed by Ramsey, the 19-year-old found Smith Rowe, who smashed it home from close range.
Smith Rowe then turned provider for Ramsey, who won a penalty – after a clumsy challenge from Igor Perduta – and got up to stroke home the spot-kick.
Arsenal made it three before half-time when Mo Elneny played a great ball to 19-year-old Willock, who scored his first goal for the club.
In fact, it was so easy that Emery felt able to take off Holding and hand 18-year-old defender Zech Medley his debut with half an hour to go.