Arsene Wenger was happy with the contributions of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson against Cologne.
- Arsenal player ratings: Ainsley Maitland-Niles shines during poor team display in Cologne
- Hilarious video as Maitland-Niles nutmegs Wenger in training
- Nelson wonder goal earns Arsenal a win over Porto
Arsenal somehow lost 1-0 to the side bottom of the Bundesliga on Thursday night despite playing a much more experienced team than usual.
While the first team fringe players failed to impress, there were, at least, a couple of shining lights.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles had an excellent game as the left wing-back, and looked good whenever he took on the opposition defence.
“In the first half especially when we had problems to create dangerous situations, he did very well.”
Late in the second half, Reiss Nelson made an appearance and showed off his impressive skill when he waltzed through several Cologne defenders and had an effort saved.
Wenger was suitably impressed by the pair.
“Maitland-Niles was very good,” Wenger said, as reported by the Evening Standard.
“In the first half especially when we had problems to create dangerous situations, he did very well.
“Reiss Nelson came on and looked really tricky, dangerous going forward every time. Overall I would say the really young players did well on that front.”
Maitland-Niles and Nelson have been regulars for Arsenal during the Europa League.
The pair had started every other group game together as the left and right wing-back respectively.
Maitland-Niles got another run out on the left against Cologne. Nelson, on other hand, started on the bench as Calum Chambers was given game time instead.
The duo should receive another chance to impress when Arsenal close their Europa League group stage campaign against BATE Borisov at the Emirates Stadium in December.