ౠArsenal players applaud the fans at the end of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Ethan Nwaneri’s Stunning Strike Seals Arsenal’s Comeback Win, Securing Last-16 Spot
Arsenal qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League after a 2-1 comeback win against Girona, finishing as the third-placed team in the league phase, hence avoiding the playoff stage. Mikel Arteta's side controlled most of the match, only to go down in the 28th minute when Arnaut Danjuma exposed debut goalkeeper Neto's poor positioning. Arsenal responded quickly, as Jorginho converted a penalty a little later after Arnau Martinez fouled Thomas Partey. One fleeting diamond from Ethan Nwaneri gave the hosts the winner from the edge of the box. Girona missed out on an equalizer, and while Cristhian Stuani thought he had pulled one back, VAR intervened to disallow the goal due to an offside in the buildup. Arsenal almost added a third one when Leandro Trossard hit the crossbar, and Raheem Sterling's stoppage-time penalty was saved by Pau Lopez.
⛎Champions League 2024-25: Girona players applaud the fans at the end of the match
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
Girona players applaud the fans at the end of the Champions League 🙈opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Champions League 2024-25: Girona's Cristhian Stuani is challenged by Arsenal's Gabriel
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
ཧGirona's Cristhian Stuani, centre right, is challenged by Arsenal's Gabriel during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's Raheem Sterling shoots against Girona
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
💙Arsenal's Raheem Sterling, centre, shoots during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's Leandro Trossard is challenged by Girona's Jhon Solis
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
🅘Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, right, is challenged by Girona's Jhon Solis during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Champions League 2024-25: Ethan Nwaneri celebrates after scoring his side's second goal
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
൩Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's Jorginho scores his side's first goal
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
✱Arsenal's Jorginho, right, scores his side's first goal with a penalty kick during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Champions League 2024-25: Girona's Arnaut Danjuma runs with the ball
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
🍃Girona's Arnaut Danjuma, centre, runs with the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
🎶Champions League 2024-25: Girona players celebrate after the opening goal
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
𝔉Girona players celebrate after Arnaut Danjuma scored the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta waits for the start the match
| Photo: AP/Joan Monfort
🌟Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta waits for the start of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
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