‘My actual heart’: Some Arsenal fans react to what Maitland-Niles told Smith Rowe after his goal last night

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While Arsenal’s first team continues to struggle in the Premier League, the Hale End boys have been thoroughly impressing when given the chance in the Europa League.

The Gunners have won all of their Group B games so far, all but one of those by three or more goals, to earn themselves a spot in the next round as group winners.

Arsenal hosted Rapid Vienna at the Emirates Stadium last night, with 2,000 Gunners fans in attendance, and they were treated to a swashbuckling display en route to a 4-1 victory.

Mikel Arteta’s charges took the lead after just 10 minutes, Alexandre Lacazette rifling home from 30 yards out to the delight of the returning supporters.

Arsenal were then two to the good just eight minutes later as Pablo Mari, playing his first senior game since June, headed Reiss Nelson’s corner past Richard Strebinger for his first Gunners goal.

Eddie Nketiah was next on the scoresheet, heading into the bottom corner after the Rapid keeper had kept out his initial effort.

Koya Kitagawa pulled a goal back for the visitors, firing in followed a good Alex Runarsson save and two last-ditch blocks from Sead Kolasinac.

However, Arsenal restored their three-goal lead through Emile Smith Rowe, who slammed Maitland-Niles’ cutback into an empty net just three minutes after coming on as a sub.

And his subsequent exchange with his fellow academy graduate, who told him “welcome back, bro!”, went down a treat with Arsenal fans watching.

Here are some of the social media comments: