Dundalk's Europa League campaign finished pointless after they suffered a sixth defeat at a rainy Aviva Stadium this evening.
Jordan Flores' first-half goal and a consolation header late on from Sean Hoare were the only bright sparks for the Lilywhites, as Arsenal secured a comfortable 4-2 victory.
Calum Chambers made his first Arsenal start in almost a year as manager Mikel Arteta’s team showed 11 changes for the Europa League Group B finale away to Dundalk.
Having recovered from a serious knee injury suffered last December against Chelsea, Chambers was recalled alongside Shkodran Mustafi and Pablo Mari.
There were also starts for Mohamed Elneny, Joe Willock and Emile Smith Rowe, as well as club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, who was banned for the weekend Premier League defeat at Tottenham.
UEFA Europa League Group B, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 10/12/2020 Dundalk vs Arsenal Dundalk's Chris Shields and Pablo Mar’ of Arsenal ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Arsenal dominated the early proceedings and took the lead as Eddie Nketiah’s smart finish broke the deadlock with just 12 minutes on the clock.
The second goal followed soon after, this time Egypt midfielder Elneny scoring his first Arsenal goal in three years with a sumptuous finish from all of 25 yards out.
Despite the one-way traffic, Dundalk halved the arrears as Flores flashed home a decent finish, although Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson will feel he should have done better.
Arsenal started the second half with a similarly dominant performance and wrapped up the points as substitute Folarin Balogun teed up Willock for the third goal.
With ten minutes to go, Balogun made it 4-1 with a crisp finish past Gary Rogers.
A lovely header from Hoare gave Dundalk something else to cheer about in the dying minutes.
Seán Hoare does it again at Lansdowne!
Brilliant header from the @DundalkFC defender!#CmonTheTown | #UEL | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/IMZHgHjNBM
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 10, 2020
