21st October, 2015
Arsenal’s Under 19 side maintained their 100 per cent start to their UEFA Youth League campaign this season with an impressive win over Bayern Munich U19s.
Nigerian-born Alex Iwobi proved the young Gunners’ hero netting both goals late on in the second half against their German opponents.
The 19-year-old enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a stunning opener before adding a second with a neat finish.
The victory will be even more satisfactory for the hosts’ manager Andries Jonker after he was forced to make three changes to the side that beat Olympiacos three weeks ago.
Jonker was without key trio Stephy Mavididi, Kaylen Hinds and Chris Willock for Tuesday’s encounter with Bayern U19s, due to their involvement with the England U17 World Cup squad, with Donyell Malen, Reiss Nelson and Ismael Bennacer taking their place.
And the changes didn’t affect Jonker’s side as Ben Sheaf forced Bayern goalkeeper David Hundertmark into a fine save on 15 minutes.
After a wild effort from Iwobi, the visitors began to grow into the match and came close to taking the lead themselves just before half-time.
Having conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position, Yousef Emghames came close to making Arsenal U19s pay but his effort was brilliantly turned around the post by Hugo Keto.
That seemed to be a wake-up call for Jonker’s side as the Gunners’ started the second half the brighter.
And their pressure was rewarded thanks to Iwobi’s stunning strike on 73 minutes.
Iwobi, nephew of Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha, turned his marked on the edge of the area before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the corner of Hundertmark’s net.
Just five minutes later he proved the scourge of the Bayern defence once more when he applied a controlled finish at the back post to wrap up a third straight win in the competition for the Gunners.
Arsenal will be hoping for a similar display and result when they travel to Bavaria on November 4.