‘8/10’, ‘looked so much better’: Media wowed by 23-year-old Arsenal player’s display v Nurnberg

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Arsenal made it two wins out of two in pre-seasons as they ran out 5-3 winners over Nurnberg at the Max-Morlock Stadion.

The Gunners followed up their 5-1 win over Ipswich last week with a come-from-behind victory over the German second-tier side.

Arsenal began the game poorly and conceded two goals in quick succession midway through the first half.

Johannes Geis and Kwadwo Duah fired past new Gunners goalkeeper Matt Turner in the 24th and 29th minute respectively.

However, Gabriel Jesus made an immediate impact off the bench early in the second half to halve the deficit.

The £45million man rifled high into the net from a tight angle less than 90 seconds after coming on.

Mohamed Elneny then restored parity in the 54th minute with a superb top-corner effort from well outside the box.

Two Nurnberg own goals had Arsenal 4-2 up by the 63rd-minute mark.

And though Lukas Schleimer struck back for the Germans, Jesus added a fifth with 15 minutes to go.

The Brazil international slammed home from Gabriel Martinelli’s cross at the front post for another good victory.

Jesus and Elneny stood out for Arsenal, and Eddie Nketiah also impressed, playing a part in four of their goals.

The 23-year-old’s pass to Jesus led to the newcomer’s debut goal, while his blocked effort then found – and was hammered home – by Elneny.

Nketiah also helped force both of Nurnberg’s own goals, one of those coming through an effort which hit the woodwork.

“Unlucky not to score”

Goal.com‘s Charles Watts gave him 7 out of 10 and lauded his second-half efforts.

“Didn’t get a sniff of an opportunity in the first half as Arsenal struggled to provide him with any service,” he wrote.

“Came alive in the second half following the arrival of Jesus and Martinelli.

“Linked up really well with Jesus, was unlucky not to score with his shot that hit the bar.”

Meanwhile, football.london‘s Kaya Kaynak gave Nketiah 8 out of 10.

“Thundered the underside of the bar with a strike that led to one of the Nurnberg own goals,” he wrote.

“And looked so much better with Jesus up around him. Linked up well as part of a mobile and exciting two.”

Nketiah finished last season strongly for Arsenal and was up and running last week with a hat-trick against Ipswich.

It’ll be really exciting to see how he fares over the coming months.