Europa League: Iwobi Bags First Euro Goal, As Chukwueze Shines In Villareal Win

BY: Abidoye Babatunde

    Alex Iwobi scored his first Europa League goal for ten-man Arsenal who suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Rennes in Thursday’s first leg Round of 16 clash at the Roazhon Park, BSNSports reports. Iwobi put Arsenal in the ascendency at the Roazhon Park from intended cross to give Unai Emery side the lead after just four minutes into the clash. Iwobi goal was his fifth in all competitions this season Tragedy struck for the London based team when defender Sokratis Papastathopoulous got his matching order in the 38th minute after receiving his second yellow card of the match with a foul on Ismaila Sarr. Goals from Benjamin Bourigeaud, Nacho Monreal (own goal) and Ismaila Sarr was enough to hand Julien Stephan's men the impetus ahead of next week's return fixture.   Samuel Chukuwueze returned to starting XI and did not disappoint as he helped Villarreal with an impressive 3-1 win away at Zenit St Petersburg. Former Leicester City man Vincente Iborra opened the scoring for visitors in the 33rd minute of the game while the hosts team restore parity in the 35th minute through Sardar Azmoun. In second half, goals from Manu Morlanes and Gerard Moreno secured a comfortable win away. The game was Chukwueze’s seventh in the competition this season.