Chelsea and Arsenal young guns make their case with dominant Europa League displays - 7M sport

Chelsea and Arsenal young guns make their case with dominant Europa League displays



Posted Friday, November 30, 2018 by Express.co.uk

Chelsea and Arsenal young guns make their case with dominant Europa League displays
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Emile Smith Rowe impressed for Chelsea and Arsenal (Image: GETTY)

CHELSEA and Arsenal were both dominant in winning their Europa League matches on Thursday evening.

The Gunners beat Vorskla Poltava 3-0 to guarantee top spot in their group and had teenagers Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock to thank.

The pair lined up in a youthful side picked by Emery as Arsenal made light work of their opponents in Kiev.

It was Willock’s first senior goal for Arsenal with Smith Rowe netting his second goal in as many European starts.

Smith Rowe was delighted with the win and is determined to be involved for Unai Emery’s side.

He said: “My fingers and my toes are very cold, but you’ve just got to get on with it.

“It was a good win for us and a few lads got their debuts, so we’re just happy to get the win.

“Every cup we’re in we want to win. We’re improving in every game and I’m very happy to be involved.”

Smith Rowe also opened up on his goal in the freezing Kiev temperatures.

“I’m very happy but it’s more important that we won today," he added.

“I was a bit shocked [about the disallowed goal] but because there wasn’t a lot of fans no one was celebrating.

“I thought it was offside as well, but it’s happened and I’m happy to just score anyway.”

It was Callum Hudson-Odoi who stole the headlines for Chelsea as they thumped PAOK Salonika 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The 18-year-old scored his first goal for the club after being handed an opportunity by Maurizio Sarri.

Hudson-Odoi was involved in everything good for the Blues as Olivier Giroud netted twice and Alvaro Morata came off the bench to score.

And Sarri praised the youngster following the win.

He said: “I think that he played very well but the type of match was for his characteristics.

“They had ten men after seven minutes, he is able to play in this and I want to see him when we have to play more in the defensive phase.

“The goal will give him confidence, like Giroud and Morata. I am very happy with this. Two strikers scored and that is very important.”

Hudson-Odoi revealed after the match what it meant to score his first goal for Chelsea.

“We got early goals which gave us the confidence that we needed, we are back to normal,” he said.

“I couldn't believe I got the opportunity to start. Every time I got the ball I wanted to do my stuff. I couldn't believe it when I scored, to see the crowd jumping was a dream.

“I will keep striving to play for my club. Hopefully more opportunities will come. I am always eager to play but it is the coach's decision.

“I will celebrate tonight with my family.”

Chelsea return to action against Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Arsenal face rivals Tottenham in the first north London derby of the season.



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