Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper David Raya ahead of Sunday’s vital Premier League match against Manchester City.
The Gunners were without their No.1 for last night’s Champions League win over Girona which saw Mikel Arteta’s side cement their place in the last 16.
Raya missed the game with an unspecified injury which allowed Neto to make his debut, five months after signing on loan from Bournemouth in the summer.
The 35-year-old was a less than convincing presence between the posts, making an error with his first touch inside the first minute before being caught way out of position for Arnaut Danjuma’s opener.
Arsenal had teenager’s Jack Porter and Tommy Setford on the bench but neither were called upon.
Raya did make the trip to Spain but watched the game from the stands with Arteta adamant the former Brentford star was not in a fit state to play.
According to The Athletic, however, Arsenal are confident the 29-year-old, who has enjoyed an outstanding campaign, will be ready to face the champions at the Emirates on Sunday.
While Neto failed to grasp his chance to shine, the same could not be said for teenager Ethan Nwaneri who scored a blistering winner on what was his first start in the competition.
It was the latest step in a remarkable ascent for the teenager, who in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka has installed himself as a key part of Arteta’s squad.
The win in Girona, which ensured Arsenal finished third in the final standings to earn a seeded place in the last 16 without the need for a play-off in February, was Nwaneri’s first start in Europe having made a number of substitute appearances this season.
‘It’s one of the highest definitely because it’s the Champions League, it’s what I’ve loved and watched since I was young,’ he said. ‘So to come here and win man of the match on my starting debut, it’s a special feeling. I’m happy.
‘Listening to the music was surreal, that’s the moment I’ve lived for my whole life. The music was special to me, so that was great. It’s crazy, life moves fast. But I’m happy to be here. This is where I’ve always wanted to be, so I’m grateful that I’m here.’
Arsenal, who needed a point against already-eliminated Girona to rubber-stamp direct passage to the last 16, briefly looked in trouble in the Estadi Montilivi when former Tottenham forward Danjuma pounced on Neto’s mistake.
The visitors levelled via a Jorginho penalty after Thomas Partey was fouled inside the box, setting the stage for Nwaneri to leave his mark with a lovely curled finish after sidestepping three Girona defenders.
Raheem Sterling missed a stoppage-time penalty, shortly after Cristhian Stuani had had a goal disallowed for offside for Girona, but Arsenal hung on.
‘I think the team played very well,’ said Nwaneri. ‘We dug in until the last minute and I was happy to have contributed with the goal. It was just all instinct, I just saw the space. I just sensed that the goalkeeper wouldn’t expect the shot, so I took it and scored.
‘It was hard getting through in the Champions League, so I’m proud of the team. Obviously you’d like to finish first, but I think third’s very good.
‘The knockout stages is where it starts to get really interesting so I think this team will do well and go far definitely.’
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