By Johnny Edward:
Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi made his seventh UEFA Europa League appearance and provided a great assist for Arsenal’s firts goal in their 4-2 home win over Ukrainian side, Vorskla Poltava, in Thursday’s Group E clash, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
The Nigeria international gave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the assist to score the curtain raiser in the 32nd minute. Iwobi played for 70 minutes before he was subbed off for Emile Smith-Rowe.
A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, strikes from Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil gave the Gunners a bright start to the competition despite consolatory goals from Volodimir Chesnakov and Vyacheslav Sharpar for the visitors.
In the other group E game, Portuguese side, Sporting CP defeated Qarabag FK 2-0 to move second in the standings after matchday one.
In group C, Samuel Kalu made his debut in the UEFA Europa League for Bordeaux who lost 1-0 to Slavia Prague in Czech.
The Nigerian international featured for all 90 minutes but was yellow carded in the 74th minute of the encounter. In the other Group C match, FC Copenhagen played out a 1-1 draw at home to Zenit St Petersburg.
Kalu (l) in action for Bordeaux aginst Slavia Prague
Robert Mak gave Zenit St Petersburg the lead in the 44th minute before Pieros Sotiriou drew the hosts, FC Copenhagen level in the 63rd minute.
in Greece, Stephen Odey made his debut in the competition for ten-man FC Zurich who defeated AEK Larnaca 1-0. Odey failed to score in 75 minutes before he was subbed off for Assan Ceesay. Pa Modou
Jagne was sent off six minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
In the other group game, Bayer Leverkusen edged Bulgarian side, Ludogorets Razgrad 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.
In Scotland, Leigh Griffiths was the match winner for Celtic who pipped Rosenborg 1-0 in a group B clash while RasenBallsport Leipzig lost 3-2 to Salzburg in the other group game.
Turkish side, Fenerbahce lost 4-1 away to Croatian side, Dinamo Zagreb while Anderlecht lost 1-0 to Slovak side Spartak Trnava in group D.
AC Milan defeated Luxembourgish Football club F91 Dudelange to go top of Group F after Olympiacos and Real Betis played out a goalless draw.