Vlahovic wastes no time proving point to Arsenal with Champions League record

Dusan Vlahovic wasted no time getting accustomed to Champions League football as the Juventus striker scored 33 seconds into his debut in the competition against Villarreal.

The Serbian has hit the ground running since leaving Fiorentina for Max Allegri's side as he sealed a £63million move last month.

Vlahovic netted just 13 minutes into his Serie A debut for the Turin club a few weeks ago as he broke the deadlock in a 2-0 win over Verona.

And that theme has continued in his first appearance for the Italians in the Champions League as the 21-year-old scored inside the first minute in the first leg of their last 16 tie against Villarreal.

Vlahovic ran in behind the Spanish side's backline as he cushioned the ball on his chest and brilliantly swiveled before rifling a ball into the bottom corner with his right foot.

It's the quickest goal that's been scored by a player on their Champions League debut, previously held by Andreas Moller who scored for Borussia Dortmund, coincidentally, against Juve in 1995.

Vlahovic has added salt into Arsenal's wounds with how fast he has come out the blocks for Juventus as he looks to be an excellent bit of business from Allegri's men.

The Gunners courted the striker for the majority of the January transfer window, but the player rejected the north Londoners in favour of a switch to Turin.

One of the reasons that Vlahovic snubbed Arteta's men was because he was wanting to join a side that could guarantee him Champions League football.

And that decision has been vindicated somewhat after breaking a competition record in his first appearance.

Vlahovic insists it was an "easy" decision to join Juventus over the likes of Arsenal.

He said: "There were many rumours about foreign clubs, but the choice was easy because the club and I have a similar DNA.

"Fight and suffer when needed. I think it's part of my mentality as well, so the choice was not difficult. I fit in here."

It was reported that Arsenal wanted to use Lucas Torreira, who was on loan at Fiorentina, as a makeweight to secure a deal for Vlahovic.

And according to Torreira's agent, Pablo Bentancur, the Gunners are furious about the situation.

When speaking to Sport890, he said: "Now, Arsenal are a bit angry because they wanted Vlahovic.

"Fiorentina wanted to sell him, but the agents said he had to go to Juventus - you always do what the player wants."