Nigeria Striker, Alex Iwobi goal in vain as Arsenal flop again

Nigerian striker Alex vies with Chelsea’s Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta duringthe English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on August 18, 2018.

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Arsenal)Iwobi endured a dismal afternoon at Stamford Bridge as his misses contributed to Arsenal’s defeat. After Arsenal battled back to 2-2 from two goals down, RIYAD MAHREZ (Manchester City)Algeria winger made his home debut for the Premier League champions in their demolition of Huddersfield.

Mahrez arrivedfrom Leicester in a £60 million (67 million euros, $76.5 million) move in the close season and made his first appearance in the Community Shield win over Chelsea at WembleyWAKASO/PATRICK TWUMASI (Alaves)Ghana internationals Wakaso and Twumasi were both in the squad for Alaves’ tricky trip to Barcelona for the La Liga season opener.

Wakaso was part of a four-man midfield as the visitors attempted to snuff out Barcelona’s attacking threat and it worked for over an hour until Lionel Messi inspired a 3-0 win.

SEKO FOFANA (Udinese)Ivorian midfielder Fofana got his first goal of the season, scoring the equaliser as Udinese completed a comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 at promoted Parma. Fofana, 23, scored four minutes after teammate Rodrigo De Paul had pulled the northeastern side, who narrowly avoided relegation last season,KWADWO ASAMOAH (Inter Milan)Ghana midfielder Asamoah began life as an Inter Milan player with a 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo after six years at Turin giants Juventus.

The 29-year-old had appeals for a spot-kick waved away after being brought down by Francesco Magnanelli.Boateng thought he had made it 2-0 for the side from Modena after 65 minutes but his effort bounced off the post.

FranceDENIS BOUANGA (Nimes)The Le Mans-born Gabon winger scored his first goal for Nimes since arriving from Lorient last month and the first for his new employers in the top flight at home since 1993 in the 3-1 defeat of Marseille