UEFA Europa League Report: Eintracht Frankfurt v Arsenal 19 September 2019

UEFA Europa League

Result: Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 Arsenal

Date: 19 September 2019

Venue: Commerzbank-Arena

Arsenal started their UEFA Europa League campaign with an impressive 3-0 win away to ten-man Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday evening.   The Gunners let a healthy two-goal slip over the weekend at Watford to settle for a point, but Unai Emery opted to go for youth in Germnay with the introduction of three graduates Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and Emile Smith-Rowe.   Arsenal nearly broke in front after five minutes when Saka send in a perfect cross for Lucas Torreira, who volleyed over the top from six yards out.   In the aftermath, the Germans gauged a response following the midway point as Filip Kostic moved behind Calum Chambers to bring the best out Emiliano Martinez with a powering drive across goal.   Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock seven minutes before halftime when a swift counter-attack played in Willock, who curled off the underside of the bar via a deflection.   The home side got a big chance to level straight from the break, but Bas Dost headed wide of the post from an opening space after a corner kick. Arsenal then rattled the woodwork on 55 minutes when Granit Xhaka's free-kick looped over everybody to clip the bar.   Big off-season signing Nicolas Pepe made his way on to the surface for the Gunners on 60 minutes, replacing Smith-Rowe.   Frankfurt had to finish the game with a man down when Dominik Kohr receieved a second yellow card for a professional foul on Saka in the final 12 minutes.   Saka went on to add their second in the last five minutes after he picked up Pepe's pass to bend into the far corner from 25 yards out.   Pierre Emerick Aubameyang made it three two minutes later when Saka turned provider to the Gabonese international who needed no second invitation to finish past Trapp for the game's final goal.    

 

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