Alex Iwobi Shines As Aubameyang Gets A Brace In An Excellent Triumph

Arsenal kicked off their 2018/2019 Europa League with a comfortable defeat of Vorskla, courtesy of goals from Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Arsenal cruised to a 4-2 home victory over Varskla with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring one goal in each half.

The visitors initially showed to be stubborn opponents, but the result was hardly ever questioned from the moment Aubameyang finds the back of the net in 32 minutes.

Danny Welbeck doubled Arsenal lead early in the second half, before Aubameyang got his brace and substitute, Mesut Ozil made it four for the gunners.

In about 14 minutes towards the end of the match, the Ukrainian visitor’s Captain, Vladimir Chesnakov gave Vorskla something to smile about with a superb strike and Vyacheslav Sharpar made it two with the last kick of the match.

Alex Iwobi was Arsenal's strongest threat in an unforgettable opening, and a beautiful cross from the Nigerian international allowed Aubameyang to find the back of the net at the back post after Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s led counter attack.

Lucas Torriera swung in a free kick that hit the side of the net before Aubameyang moved swiftly between a pair of tackles to curl home a great effort against the bottom of the net.

It was a signal the visitors were certainly in need of half time when Vorskla goalkeeper Bogdan Shust pulled Mkhitaryan's attempt over.

At the start of second half, Vasyl Sachko’s men conceded the second of the night, Welbeck was in the right place to head in Mkhitaryan's 48th-minute effort.

Aubameyang benefited from a questionable positioning of Shust to registered Arsenal’s third goal from the edge of the box after 56 minutes - Mkhitaryan with a brace of assists.

In 74th minute, Lichtsteiner hit the ball above out rushing Shust for substitute Mesut Ozil to scored the fourth but the Swiss international defender was caught in possession when Chesnakov smashed in a magnificent strike.

Arsenal got complacent and Sharpar beat Bernd Leno with a side-footed effort.

SELECTION HEADACHES FOR EMERY

Unai Emery has found a relatively well-established first team in the Premier League, but those who had a chance in rotation in the middle of the week put in an impressive shifts.

Iwobi was a constant threat to Vorskla down the right flank and Lucas Torreira’s first team football in EPL looks inevitable.

Leno looked in pole position to displace Petr Cech as he proved to be more comfortable with the new style of play but had no chance in the late two goals he conceded.

Key Opta facts

- This win was Unai Emery’s 32nd victory in the Europa League; the most of any manager in the history of the competition.

- In February, Arsenal suffered their only defeat of the last 13 home games in the Europa League/UEFA Cup (W9 D3), against Ostersunds FK (1-2).

- Vorskla yet to register a win in the Europa League, (D2 L5) of their seven games in the competition.

- Arsenal have seen a total of 25 goals scored (14 for and 11 against) in six games in all competitions in 2018/2019 campaign, an average of 4.2/game.

- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 21 goals in his last 25 appearances in the Europa League and Champions League, excluding qualifiers.

- Aubameyang has had hand in 12 goals in 10 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions

at Emirates Stadium (9 goals and 3 assists).