- Former Tottenham loanee Arnaut Danjuma gave the hosts a surprise 1-0 lead
- Jorginho then equalised from the spot before Ethan Nwaneri scored in style
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Does Mikel Arteta want a striker?
Well, having had a bid rejected for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins earlier in the day, Arteta stuck Kai Havertz – his only recognised striker – on the bench on Wednesday night.
Against Girona, that’s no qualms. Arsenal’s second goal, a stunning finish by teenager Ethan Nwaneri, was the highlight. It confirmed a spot in the top eight for the Gunners, which puts them automatically through to the Champions League last 16.
But, more widely, the starting line-up reflected a clear message to the north London club’s hierarchy: get that cash ready.
Leandro Trossard had some bright moments in Havertz’s place – but that is not sustainable going forward. It is a not a like-for-like switch.
Havertz, who came on after 70 minutes, has struck 14 goals this season, though putting the load on one recognised centre-forward across a whole season could soon well be problematic.
Ethan Nwaneri’s first goal in the Champions League was enough to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory
It was an impressive display from the 17-year-old who is giving Mikel Arteta decisions to make
Jorginho converted his penalty calmly to equalise after Arnaut Danjuma’s surprise opener
The excitement from the Arsenal fan base on the mere update that a bid was put in for Watkins reflects their desperation for an attacker, too.
Arsenal have banked £7.8million for finishing in the top eight, as well as a £1.8m bonus – the prize for every win in the league phase of the Champions League – just from Wednesday night alone.
The Gunners can now book their flights to Dubai – they have next weekend free, having been knocked out of the FA Cup – and possess extra kitty in the bank for a marquee signing like Watkins.
If there’s any money left over, another goalkeeper would be a sensible idea. On the evidence of Wednesday night, if David Raya, who was not fit enough to make the bench, is injured this season, Arsenal would be in some pickle.
Neto, on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, became the Gunners’ oldest debutant in 110 years. The 35-year-old Brazilian joined in August on deadline day.
Each touch here was riddled with nerves. His dithering on the ball allowed ex-Watford star Arnaut Danjuma to charge him down after two minutes.
Neto got away with it on that occasion, but not on 28 minutes, finding himself yards outside of his box. Danjuma coolly finished. It was a poor display from start to finish.
Riccardo Calafiori, on the back of his winner against Wolves on Saturday, beat goalkeeper Pau Lopez from close range — though he was offside.
Danjuma punished Neto’s poor positioning outside his box in a shaky performance from the goalkeeper
Cristhian Stuani thought he had netted the equaliser late in the game only for VAR to rule it out
Raheem Sterling was effervescent throughout but saw his penalty in added time saved
With victory Arteta can now turn his attentions to both Manchester City and the bidding table
A Jorginho penalty, won after Thomas Partey was fouled by Arnau Martinez, put the visitors level, before Nwaneri pulled out a top strike.
Shimmying to his left foot from outside the area, he whipped the ball with pace and curve into the bottom left corner.
The pace and technique had shades of his goal against Preston in the Carabao Cup.
Girona substitute Cristhian Stuani thought he had struck a leveller towards the end, but that was ruled out by the VAR, before Raheem Sterling had a penalty saved in injury time.
For now, Arteta can turn his attention back to the bidding table.
