Dundalk 2-4 Arsenal- Gunners finish off group stage in style

Arsenal maintained their 100% record in the Europa League with a 4-2 win over Dundalk.

Calum Chambers, Ainsley Maitland Niles, and Emile Smith Rowe all were given starting births with youth stars Florin Balogun, Ben Cottrell, and Miguel Azeez all on the bench.

Arsenal controlled the match from the first whistle, controlling possession and moving Dundalk around.

Arsenal’s dominance paid off 12 minutes in when Eddie Nketiah poked the ball away from a Dundalk defender and was through on goal. The youngster then cleverly clipped his shot over Gary Rodgers in the Dundalk goal to give Arsenal the lead.
Arsenal continued on the front foot and was rewarded just six minutes later. Mohamed Elneny picked up the ball outside the box, took a touch, and rifled his shot into the top corner to double Arsenal’s lead.

Minutes later, Ainsley Maitland Niles and Emile Smith Rowe again linked up well and Smith Rowe pulled his cross back for Nicolas Pepe whose shot sailed over the goal.

Just two minutes later Dundalk pulled a goal back. Jordan Flores picked the ball up inside the box with no Arsenal defender near him and let fly with his shot and it found its way past Alex Runarsson in the Arsenal goal. The Icelandic keeper could feel he could have done better with his efforts; however, Dundalk was now back in the game.

After their goal, Dundalk grew into the match. They were enjoying more possession and looked comfortable on the ball.A curling shot from outside the box from Maitland Niles forced a save good save from Gary Rodgers as he kept the score at 2-1.

Dundalk finished the half the stronger side and nearly leveled matters just before the break. A cross into the Dundalk penalty area found its way to the back post, however, Calum Chambers was in the way of the goal-bound shot to keep Arsenal ahead in the contest going into half time.

The half did not see much goal mouth action to begin with as Dundalk enjoying spells of possession, however, they did not make much from it.
With 30 minutes to go Mikel Arteta made two changes, bringing on Florin Balogun and Dani Ceballos for Nketiah and Elneny.
It proved an inspired decision as five minutes later Balogun was involved in Arsenal’s third goal. Superb hold-up play from the striker as he held off the Dundalk defender before he teed up Joe Willock has he slotted home to give Arsenal a 3-1 lead.

Emile Smith Rowe was then taken off with 13 minutes to go, in place of young Ben Cottrell as he got his first senior appearance tonight.
Just three minutes later Arsenal added a fourth when Nicolas Pepe drove at the Dundalk defence and slid a neat ball to Balogun who hit his shot first time and it found its way into the bottom corner to cap off a good night for the young striker.

Another young star in Miguel Azeez got his first senior appearance as well with 8 minutes to go in place of Joe Willock.

Dundalk managed to grab a goal back five minutes from time. A lofted free-kick found its way to Sean Hoare who managed to get his header on target as Alex Runarsson was beaten for the second time on the night.

It was another good European night for Arsenal as they maintain their 100% record in the competition.

Next up is Burnley in the Premier League and it represents a huge game for Mikel Arteta and his side to carry their Europa League form into league action.