“I have suspended him…As a professional player you don’t need to celebrate scoring against club like Bolton”: Mikel suspends ONE player for his crazy goal celebration against Bolton
“I have suspended him…As a professional player you don’t need to celebrate scoring against club like Bolton”: Mikel suspends ONE player for his crazy goal celebration against Bolton
17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and deadline day signing Raheem Sterling both scored their first Arsenal goals as the Gunners hammered Bolton 4-1 in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday.
Nwaneri scored either side of half-time after Declan Rice had given the home team the lead. Aaron Collins pulled one back for Bolton before Sterling opened his account and Kai Havertz added a fifth.
Arsenal advanced into the EFL Cup fourth round after a thumping 5-1 victory against Bolton Wanderers.
Mikel Arteta’s men didn’t take long to get started at the Emirates, with Declan Rice firing the Gunners ahead from outside the box after 16 minutes, capitalising on a failed clearance from Scott Arfield.
Ethan Nwaneri made it 2-0 to Arsenal less than 20 minutes later on what was his first start for the club, stroking home from close range after some great work from Raheem Sterling.
Nwaneri grabbed his second just four minutes into the second half, with Rice capitalising on a defensive mistake before feeding Nwaneri who fired his effort past Luke Southwood.
Bolton did give their travelling support something to cheer about on 53 minutes, with Aaron Collins catching Arsenal on the break before sliding his effort past Jack Porter.
Normal service resumed shortly after though, with Raheem Sterling netting his first Arsenal goal after 64 minutes before Kai Havertz made it 5-1 after 77 minutes, just six minutes after entering the fray.
Talking Point – The kids are alright
With the ever-increasing schedule of a top-level Premier League club, Mikel Arteta rang the changes for tonight’s match and will be delighted with the performance of his side. With this clash coming just three days after Arsenal’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester City, it was a chance for some of the highly touted youngsters at the club to impress.
16-year-old Jack Porter made his debut in goal, 18-year-old Josh Nichols also made his debut, doing well for Arsenal’s fourth goal and acquitting himself well overall.
17-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly also started, playing well before coming off on the hour mark and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri had a night to remember on what was his first start for the club, scoring a brace and putting in a fantastic overall performance for the Gunners. In the second half, Arteta was able to make even more changes, giving both 17-year-old Maldini Kacurri and 18-year-old Ismeal Kabia their debuts.
Tonight will be an immensely proud moment for those young players, the supporters and the club, showing that the pathway from Hale End to the first team is there if you are talented and driven enough to make the step up. The fact that the performance and result was a superb one, will only make this moment even sweeter for those involved.
Player of the Match – Raheem Sterling (Arsenal
