Morning all.
Not much to say about last night’s match other than PSG were better than us. They moved the ball around quickly, defended really well and took one of their number of scoring opportunities when it came. To end losing by just one goal was fortunate in my opinion. David Raya made an excellent save to keep us hanging on in the tie. William Saliba
Both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard had opportunities to score but their big keeper saved both.
After two awful free kicks taken by Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice fired one in from the left, Mikel Merino out jumped his marker to head home. After a three minute VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside.
We missed Thomas Partey massively. With him in the team I don’t think PSG would have found it quite so easy to play through us and my only hope is that between now and next Wednesday, he doesn’t pick up an injury because we’re still in this tie but need his midfield quality if we’re to stand any chance of getting the result we need.
The officials were probably the worst I’ve seen officiate an Arsenal fixture. Having booked Leandro Trossard early in the game for something of nothing, the referee decided to keep his cards in his pocket. The worst decision of all was when Bukayo Saka won the ball fairly out on the right. The linesman waved his flag furiously and PSG were awarded a free kick, one of many which really were unwarranted. Saka kicked the ball away in frustration, anger too probably because he knew he was through on goal legally.
As bad as the officials were, Arsenal were not good. Our midfield was lacking, our front players weren’t very effective and by the end of the game, we’d got away with losing by just the one goal.
Mikel Arteta post match:
On his thoughts on PSG’s performance:
That if we don’t correct that, it was an issue we had with the ball. In a very specific moment, you don’t have the chance to present. And if you don’t have the chance to present and they start to bring all the midfielders back, you’re going to struggle because that’s exactly what they want to do to you.
On what went wrong in the first 15 minutes:
Not a lot. I’m telling you it’s just something that is very specific but very important, especially the way we played. We corrected it and it’s not easy to correct it constantly but we did it and we did it much better. And in the end, we have two of our front players one v one with Donnarumma, if they scored the goal, it’s different. He made the saves like he did against Liverpool and Villa and that’s the difference in the Champions League, the margins are so small. We had a disallowed goal as well and another two big situations that happened in the game that didn’t go unfortunately our way.
Whether this group of players can go to The Parc des Princes and win, I’ve no idea but having seen a few hundred PSG win the noise levels for much of the game last night, their own stadium is going to be noisy. Mind you, so was the Santiago Bernabeu!
With Thomas Partey’s expected return for that match, Merino could return to lead our front line with Trossard dropping to the bench. Perhaps Ben White will start in France too in the hope that he, Saka and Odegaard can recapture their fine performances together. Last night, our captain looked like a fish out of water. Myles Lewis-Skelly however, looked right at home.
Anyway, it’s half-time, we’re only 1-0 down and theres an opportunity to turn this tie around in a weeks time.
Next up for Arsenal is a home match against Bournemouth on Saturday at 5.30pm.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico, a fair assessment of the game…
I wonder how Arteta approaches the Bournemouth game with them still in with a slim chance of CL qualification and likely to come steaming into us?
Resting players doesn’t always work as they lose some rhythm but we cannot afford to lose anyone else through injury?
I wonder if Arteta would risk the early return of say Havertz or Califiori, on the bench, in Paris?
Odegaard is only useful when he has movement in front of him otherwise he goes in circles looking for the pass and slows the whole thing down.. Merino is useful in the air but not exactly a speedster on the floor and with Saka and Martinelli told to stay out wide there is nothing to aim at.
Somehow we have to engender pace up front . With Partey back the midfield we should be stronger at the back but need White’s overlapping with Saka to give Odegaard something to aim at because last night it was all too static.
There were some curious decisions last night but following Raya’s save the guy that hit the post was offside . I wonder if they would have spent 3 minutes trying to rule that out had it gone in.
To win this we need to do something to upset Enrique’s planning because he had our number last night.
Of course our squad is weak, we know that , as the game progressed looking at the bench there was little that we could do to change the pattern bringing on Nwaneri for Odegaard would have been more of the same , maybe Zinchenko playing advanced midfield might have added some guile but the truth is we were beaten by a team that had done it’s homework and did not give us any space to play.
Unless we get more direct and put them under pressure in Paris I fear that it will be another glorious defeat.
Morning Kev, Potter, all.
Really disappointed with the way we played last night but it showed the importance of Partey in this team and why we need to keep him for at least another season.
Honestly, I think Partey will give us something in France which we lacked last night. His inclusion allows others to be more proactive up front rather than having to always be thinking about their defensive duties. PSG walked through our midfield with ease. Take that space away from them in France and we might have a chance.
Evanilson has had his red card overturned on appeal so he’ll be available for Bournemouth on Saturday. Shame.
Morning Rico and all,
Only seen some highlights, but on the bright side if your going to loose then loosing by one is better then getting thrashed 4 nil by PSG
Morning Geoff. At least we are still in the tie..
Morning.
0ne goal down is nothing and still leaves us in with a good chance. Arteta and the team will know what do. Arsenal are the injured team this morning and as we all know, there is nothing worse than an injured animal. Looking forward to seeing Partey back in the squad for the return match.
The Arsenal women turned their game around from being 2-1 down. So can the men.
Good morning Rico and all.
As you say it’s half time in the tie and all to play for in Paris. We know what we need to do, no messing around get the ball out wide and run their defenders ragged. Simples! 😉
Absolutely Laura but not if they play like they did last night. I just pray Partey returns.
Morning Cicero, yes, simples. Lol
Yep, no doubt about it, the better team won last night, Rico.
Arteta really has to earn his corn this week. Who does he put out against Bournemouth. I was sitting just above Rice, when he staggered over to take that final corner. He looked completely out on his feet. I’ve never seen him like that. He’ll probably have to play Partey for at least part of the game on the weekend to get him up to speed. All the focus is on PSG but we’re not home and hosed for a top 5 finish in the league, so have to be on it on Saturday, whoever he puts out.
Agree re the Bournemouth game and Rice Anthony. He’s played a lot of football since Christmas.
This is when our small are injured squad is evident. Saturday will be tough against a good Bournemouth team but we need points. Chelsea having to play a few clubs just behind us will hopefully increase our chances of finishing top five.