News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 7 years ago
Home  » Sports » Jese's dream debut sinks Arsenal

Jese's dream debut sinks Arsenal

August 20, 2017 08:13 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Jese Rodriguez

IMAGE: Stoke City’s Jese Rodriguez, left, celebrates after scoring against Arsenal. Photograph: Stoke City FC/Twitter

New signing Jese Rodriguez made a dream debut for Stoke City, scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.

The livewire Spaniard, signed on loan from Paris St Germain in midweek, started and finished the decisive move 90 seconds after halftime, slotting home expertly after a sharp link up with substitute Saido Berahino.

In an entertaining game, the former Real Madrid man's goal prompted Arsenal to throw everything at the home defence in a bid to claw their way back but Jack Butland proved a rock in Stoke's tremendous rearguard action.

Arsenal were denied an equaliser when Alexandre Lacazette's strike was ruled fractionally offside but the defeat ensured the Gunners' miserable sequence of being unable to win their first two matches of a season stretched to eight years.

Jese, who had looked threatening even before his goal, was hailed by his manager Mark Hughes.

"Everyone knew what an acquisition Jese is. He's a game-changer. You have to say he put a shift in too," Hughes told the BBC.

"When you think about it, he only had two or three training sessions. If that's what's to come then we'll be delighted. He's an elite player and can carry the fight for you."

For Wenger, though, it was a deflating evening following the optimism of the Gunners' 4-3 win over Leicester City on the opening night of the season.

"I believe some teams will get something here, that is why if you want to play at the top you have to consider it three points dropped," he told BT Sport.

"It was a very frustrating evening. I feel we had plenty of chances to score and didn't. We know in this kind of game it's important not to make a mistake but straight after halftime we were too sluggish on defending and we paid for it."

He also felt new signing Lacazette had been denied his second goal for the club.

"I think we scored a goal that is not offside. It's a very easy decision. When the ball is kicked, Lacazette is not offside," said Wenger.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025