Girona 1-2 Arsenal: Teenage starlet Ethan Nwaneri, 17, nets stunner as Gunners come from behind to confirm spot in Champions League last 16
Girona 1-2 Arsenal: Teenage starlet Ethan Nwaneri, 17, nets stunner as Gunners come from behind to confirm spot in Champions League last 16
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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.
![[It was an impressive display from the 17-year-old who is giving Mikel Arteta decisions to make]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/21/94656835-14339811-image-a-100_1738187870103.jpg)
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.
![[Jorginho converted his penalty calmly to equalise after Arnaut Danjuma's surprise opener]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/22/94657229-14339811-image-a-101_1738188050246.jpg)
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.
![[Danjuma punished Neto's poor positioning outside his box in a shaky performance from the goalkeeper]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/22/94657261-14339811-image-a-102_1738188200907.jpg)
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.
![[Cristhian Stuani thought he had netted the equaliser late in the game only for VAR to rule it out]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/22/94657439-14339811-image-a-103_1738188478555.jpg)
