What Unai Emery would have given for this kind of clinical finishing as Arsenal were squandering 16 shots in their humiliating loss to BATE Borisov on Thursday night.
While the Gunners remain distinctly unconvincing at senior level, things appear to be stirring in their academy and here was another resounding sign of progress.
Just a few weeks ago, Arsenal’s under-18 side defeated Tottenham 5-2 in the FA Youth Cup. This, by their under-23 charges, was about as emphatic as it gets.
Eddie Nketiah takes the applause after scoring Arsenal's fourth goal in their emphatic victory
You’d think a North London derby would arouse passions whatever the level but Spurs clearly didn’t agree. But it meant something to the young Gunners, who thoroughly outplayed their rivals, their speed and movement superior throughout.
Two goals by Joe Willock inbetween a Charlie Gilmour penalty and cool Eddie Nketiah finish perhaps gave Emery some food for thought.
He has played all three scorers at one point or another this season, however briefly, but, let’s be honest, they could hardly do much worse than the shower humbled in the Europa League 24 hours earlier.
Midfielder Joe Willock was on target twice as he stakes his claim for more first-team football
Aside for minor bragging rights, this rout didn’t carry too much significance. Freddie Ljungberg’s Arsenal remain mid-table in the Premier League 2 while Spurs, shorn of many of their best players through loan moves, remain the division’s lowest scorers.
It took Arsenal no time at all to stamp their authority on this contest. While Spurs’ back line were trying and failing to pass the ball out from defence, Arsenal swamped them with early pressure.
And it took just four minutes to make it count. Bukayo Saka was afforded far too much time and space down the left and his ball across goal found Xavier Amaechi.
He was definitely trying to score, but got his feet tangled up and scuffed the shot. Luckily it fell to Willock just a few yards from goal and he wasn’t going to miss.
Defender Julio Pleguezuelo holds off a challenge from Paris Maghoma at the Lamex Stadium
