Girona 1-2 Arsenal - Uefa Champions League result as Mikel Arteta's side come from behind to cement place in last 16

Ethan Nwaneri scored a stunning goal on his first start in the UEFA Champions League as Arsenal cemented their place in the last 16 with a 2-1 victory away against Girona. 

The home side had taken a surprise lead in the opening period as Arnaut Danjuma slotted past Arsenal’s veteran debutant goalkeeper Neto, who came rushing out of goal before stopping in his tracks and being caught in no man’s land.

The Gunners soon drew level as Jorginho coolly slotted home from the penalty spot after Thomas Partey was tripped inside the area.

Arsenal completed the turnaround just four minutes later as Nwaneri cut in from the right and curled a sublime effort into the far corner from the edge of the box. 

The hosts thought they had equalised after the interval as substitute Cristhian Stuani tapped home at the far post, but their joy was short-lived as VAR ruled it out for an offside in the build-up.

Raheem Sterling had the chance to add a flourish to the victory in stoppage time, but after winning Arsenal a second penalty, he was denied from the spot by Pau Lopez. 

The result sees Mikel Arteta’s men finish the group phase in third spot, sandwiched between Barcelona and Inter on goal difference.

They will now take on either Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan or PSV in the last 16.

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Discussing Arsenal's potential last 16 opponents, who are AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and Juventus, Owen Hargreaves said: "Win, win, win, win. They would beat all four of them, they are better than all four of them."
Martin Keown, added: "Respectful, because there are a couple of teams in there with good pedigree in this competition historically, but I’m confident Arsenal can go through right to the latter stages."

It is good news for all English clubs this evening. Manchester City came from 1-0 down to beat Clubb Brugge 3-1 and finish 22nd in the group phase table, ensuring qualification to the play-offs.

Meanwhile Aston Villa responded to being pegged back by Celtic to win 4-2 and clinch a spot in the top eight and consequently, the last 16.

Despite defeat against PSV Eindhoven, Liverpool remained top of the standings with Barcelona drawing 2-2 against Atalanta.

Speaking on TNT Sports at full time, former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said:"They have been really good in this competition so far.

"They’ve had some tough games – this was probably one of the easier ones on paper – but they’ve played some great teams. You think about Inter, PSG and Atalanta, and they’ve done such a good job.

"I think this Arsenal team look more ready than they did last season when they went out against Bayern, who were struggling a bit. Mikel will be proud of the players.

"You look at the table. To finish third, and you look at all of those teams: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter. They are all another level really. Arsenal are going to be tough to face in the knockout stages because defensively they are brilliant. Mikel has this team in a good position to strike."

Arsenal have cemented their place in the last 16 with victory this evening as they finished third in the Champions League group phase.

The Gunners ended level on points with Barcelona and Inter but finished sandwiched between the sides on goal difference.

Mikel Arteta's men will now face the winner of one of the play-offs between the sides who have finished 13th/14th and 19th/20th.

Therefore, they will either play AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord or Juventus.

After five minutes of added time, the full-time whistle is blown and Arsenal have claimed victory thanks to goals from Jorginho and Nwaneri.

It looks like Havertz wants the spot kick but Sterling has claimed it having won it.

He looks to stroke home into the bottom right corner but Lopez is down well to make a good save and deny the Englishman!

His tough time at Arsenal continues.

As Sterling picks the ball up inside the box following the corner, he looks to poke a pass through. It's somewhat blocked but as the ball flicks up, Frances sticks an arm out - for some reason - and a penalty is given.

Rice's initial corner is cleared but the England midfielder quickly wins another and this one is tipped over by Lopez with it landing right on top of him.

His third one goes to the back post where Gabriel is waiting but the sting is taken off his header and Lopez can collect.

Danjuma drives positively through midfield before spraying a pass out to Portu on the right. He swings a cross to the back post and finds the head of Stuani but he can't get enough power on his header as he leans back to trouble Neto.

Moments later and Martinelli has it in the left of the box but as he cuts in and lets fly, his effort is blocked for a corner.

Martinez picks up a yellow for a swipe on Merino. Meanwhile, Martinelli comes on for the closing stages in place of Nwaneri, who has had a wonderful evening.

The Brazilian will operate on the left as Sterling switches to the right flank.

Arsenal give the ball away and Danjuma has the chance to run at the Gunners defence but as he reaches the area, Rice gets back well to put a vital challenge in.

As a ball is floated to the back post, Stuani goes down under the attention of Lewis-Skelly and is appealing for the penalty. There is a brief VAR check but it's quickly waved on.

Portu is nudged to the ground on the edge of the Arsenal box by Odegaard but nothing is given and the Girona man is furious. He picks up a yellow for his protestations.

Another change for Arsenal now as Jorginho is replaced by Rice.

Girona think they are level. Portu is fed into the right of the box and he plays an inch-perfect ball to the back post where Stuani is waiting to tuck home.

The goal is checked by VAR though and replays show Portu was marginally offside and the goal is ruled out. What a shame for the club's record scorer!

Timber puts in a strong challenge high up the pitch before doing well to win the corner down Arsenal's right.

Nwaneri's lofted delivery to the back post finds the head of Gabriel, who nods wide, but the referee has spotted a foul anyway.

Moments later and Sterling can cut in onto his right foot and work room for the shot from the edge of the box but his effort is really tame and comfortable for Lopez.

Sterling goes down in the box and is absolutely furious as the referee books him for simulation. Perhaps slightly harsh from the official but probably not a penalty.

Another change for Girona as Michel brings on Van de Beek in place of Martin.

There are changes for Arsenal too, as Lewis-Skelly and Havertz come on for Calafiori and Trossard.

Girona have a rare flurry forward but Martinez's header following a corner from their left goes well wide.

Sterling wins the free-kick on the edge of the box thanks to some tidy footwork. Odegaard swings in a wonderful ball but Solis wins the foul as the home side looks to scramble it away.

Manchester City have turned things around at home to Club Brugge thanks to a goal from Kovacic and an own goal. They are now out of the elimination zone of the group phase table.