An extremely comfortable and productive first half was followed by another comfortable forty-five in the second stanza as Arsenal and a team wholly made up of fringe players and youngsters clinched top spot in Group E.
Unai Emery took a very inexperienced squad to Ukraine with only Ramsey, Cech, Holding, Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Lichtsteiner and Jenkinson being the only names above twenty-one years of age. Guendouzi and Maitland-Niles were the only two other real names in the squad. These seven were joined by some recognisable youngsters whilst others many hadn't heard of were also part of the travelling party. To start, the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock joined many of the above names in Emery's XI. Mkhitaryan was the only name not to feature ahead of Spurs at home on Sunday - everyone else saw at least an hour. Holding, Ramsey and Guendouzi were replaced at different times during the second half which is when new names Zech Medley, Bukayo Saka and Charlie Gilmour entered the fray. A great night for these three young lads making their debuts.
Elneny sat deep in midfield for the game's entirety and he controlled what was quite a slow and methodical possession game. Vorskla saw very little ball and what they did have, didn't produce anything of note. Cech even looked fairly comfortable playing out of the back. It was an excellent night for Arsenal's academy, and one that couldn't have gone much better with so many youth products in the squad. It was all topped off by Smith-Rowe grabbing another and Joe Willock scoring his first senior goal for his boyhood club. With Qarabg to come at home in mid December, Unai Emery is likely to go again with much of the same for that one. With a busy festive period ahead, and United to follow Spurs in the next week, the manager will take any opportunity to rotate his squad. The last Europa League group game is the perfect platform to do this.
Player Ratings:
Petr Cech: 7.5
A comfortable night for the skipper who kicked well and played out of the back surprisingly well.
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 7
A good night defensively for the experienced Swiss who got forward nicely and played his part in a good attacking display.
Rob Holding: 7
Solid again by the young Englishman who's really leaving his mark now. Impressive and deserves a spot in the the XI for Sunday, without doubt.
Carl Jenkinson: 7
Another nice and relatively easy return to action for 'Jenko' who wasn't troubled in an unfamiliar central role. Passed nicely and did the basics well.
Ainsley Maitland Niles: 7.5
Another ninety minutes for Mr Versatile who was deployed at left full back. He got forward very well and remained involved for long periods.
Matteo Guendouzi: 7
Rarely did anything wrong but rarely took a risk so basically more of what we expect these days. Wasn't pushed hard enough defensively and going forward he created from deep nicely.
Mohamed Elneny: 7.5
The wise head in an attacking and gun-hoe midfield, Mo sat back, often between the two centre backs, and shielded well. An important ninety minutes for him as well.
Aaron Ramsey: 7.5
Fouled after some nice play to win a penalty and dispatched it with ease. Was eventually replaced but played the number ten role pretty well and remained on point all game.
Emile Smithe-Rowe: 8.5
Another great display by ESR who left his mark with another goal. Could have had a second after a tap in was strangely disallowed. Kept up his levels for the full ninety.
Joe Willock: 8
Grabbed his first senior goal for Arsenal and thoroughly deserved it after a great supporting run, and eventually picking the ball up dinking inside and sliding a brilliant side foot pass into the bottom corner.
Eddie Nketiah: 7.5
Lead the line very well by himself from the get go. Linked up nicely in parts and also occupied two centre backs by himself. Looked comfortable dropping deep to get involved and pass it off.
Substitutes:
Zech Medley: 6
On debut looked comfortable with the ball at his feet for the short time he was on. Athletic looking and comfortable in a makeshift back line.
Bukayo Saka: 6.5
The lively lad looked to mince his full back every time he picked the ball up. Had one clear cut chance where he tested the goalie and maybe deserved more.
Charlie Gilmour: 6
The midfield man looked comfortable in possession, has the legs to get around and the confidence to get and stay involved.
@craigbennett10
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