Girona vs Arsenal as it happened: Ethan Nwaneri nets as Gunners cruise into Champions League last 16 | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta’s side finish league phase in third place after comeback victory over Spanish opposition

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Arsenal have successfully booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Gunners fought back to secure a 2-1 win over Girona in their final league phase outing in Spain on Wednesday night, with a penalty from Jorginho after a foul on Thomas Partey and a cracking strike from teenager Ethan Nwaneri sparing Neto’s blushes after the Arsenal debutant blundered for an opening goal for the hosts against the run of play from former Tottenham winger Arnaut Danjuma.

The only other negative on the night for Arsenal was a second penalty in stoppage time that Raheem Sterling saw saved as his struggles on loan from Chelsea continue. One of AC Milan, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven or Juventus now await Arteta’s men in the last 16 in March.

Live updates

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi

The Gunners conclude the league phase of the Champions League with another win.

They have come third in the league and go straight into the last 16.

Neto shaky on debut, but Ethan Nwaneri brilliant again. Six goals already for the 17-year-old this season.

Getty Images

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

Full-time

Arsenal safely into the last 16 of the Champions League without any last-gasp drama or need for a nervy two-legged knockout play-off tie, finishing third behind Liverpool and Barcelona.

Their strong run in Europe goes on and it’s now three straight wins across all competitions ahead of two huge matches against Manchester City and Newcastle.

Now to await another Mikel Arteta update on David Raya.

Girona end their maiden Champions League campaign with a seventh defeat from eight to end 33rd with only three points, eliminated from Europe altogether.

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

96 mins: Arsenal are still pushing hard for a late third goal here, but time is up.

Stuani has also been booked by the way, meaning he will be banned for Girona’s next European game - whenever that is.

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

94 mins: Penalty saved!

Lopez gets down low to his left at full stretch to push Sterling’s spot-kick around the post.

Another tough moment in an Arsenal shirt for Sterling.

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

93 mins: Sterling is being made to wait here, with a lot of pushing and shoving outside the box.

Arsenal are unhappy about something and Rice is booked.

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

92 mins: ANOTHER PENALTY TO ARSENAL!

Handball by Frances. Talk about blatant!

With Jorginho off, it’s going to be Sterling...

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

90 mins: Into five minutes of added time.

Girona have created the better chances late on here, but now Arsenal are looking to finish with a flourish with a succession of corners.

Can they put this game to bed? Ball held by Lopez as Gabriel tries to connect with a header at the back post under pressure from Danjuma.

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

88 mins: Safe hands from Neto to hold Martinez’s header from inside the box after a Danjuma cross.

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

86 mins: Martinez takes down Merino and joins Portu, Yaakobishvili and Sterling in the book.

The 500 travelling Arsenal fans rise to salute Nwaneri, who is replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.

“He’s one of our own,” is the chant from the away end.

10 hours ago

Girona 1-2 Arsenal

84 mins: Lopez slaps the ball away again at one end before at the other Stuani wants a penalty after colliding with Lewis-Skelly.

A brief check by VAR, but it’s quickly cleared.

Never a spot-kick.