The Arsenal conundrum
Laurent Koscielny can’t come back soon enough. Nacho Monreal without any of Koscielny’s physicality and speed has been struggling to fill his shoes. Against Hull, Tom Huddlestone was able to roam on the right flank unmolested and find Abel Hernandez free to coast against a flatfooted Per Mertesacker for Hull’s first goal. Monreal went missing. This time it was Dennis Praet leading Monreal following his full back instincts around in a merry dance before digging a cross. Calum Chambers failed to challenge as both he and Flamini were sucked in by striker Frank Acheampong allowing Andy Najar, the former DC United midfielder who had initiated the sequence to sneak in undetected and in perfect position to receive and elevate for the header.
It was just the sort of naive, clueless defending that has dogged Arsenal all season and it is down to a combination of not having the right players and daresay, the quality. If I was Steve Bould, living with the knowledge transfer period might or might not bring relief is frustrating enough. Throw in key injuries and that is a mountain to climb. It might be time for Isaac Hayden to make that transition to the senior squad as insurance.
The atmosphere fairly crackled in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium (three points just for that name) as the home fans began to believe Arsenal were to be had. And why not? Arsenal kept constantly breaking down in front of Anderlecht’s goal, the defense was superbly marshaled by Youri Tielemans, and the surging runs of Ibrahima Conte, Acheampong, and Praet were causing severe, unremitting cluster migraines. Anderlecht could have added a couple of more goals as Praet’s chip after Najar’s spadework hit the woodwork and then Emiliano Martinez had to bend low to dig out Steven Defour’s piledriver.
Wenger left it till the 74th minute to introduce the Ox and Joel Campbell for Welbeck and Flamini and 5 minutes later there was finally a Podolksi sighting for Wilshere. Till the 89th minute it looked as if Arsenal were gifting a gleaming, steaming pile to Arsene Wenger for his 65th birthday. Then came the stunning turn around as Chambers down the right lifted a cross curling close to the far post and was beautifully volleyed in by Kieran Gibbs with his left foot. Two minutes later, down the left this time it was Gibbs floating in a chip that was chested down by Alexis Sanchez who then half stumbling managed to control and turn the ball towards goal. The ball came loose to a lurking Podolski. One touch and it was thumped right into the back of the net. Social media exploded. Once again the German reignites the debate as to whether he does enough.
Martinez pressed in to service did quite well after Szczesny and David Ospina were unavailable due to suspension and injury respectively. He even looked quite assertive on the set pieces. The goalkeeping crisis means 17 year old Ryan Huddart had to make the trip to Brussels.
Arsenal escape with a victory which on the strength of the preceding hour and a half they should have never had. It’s 3 points but if you are a fan then this side leaves with as many questions if not more as it did on opening day. Wenger gets his birthday present but he must have aged another year blowing out all the candles. Borussia Dortmund crushed Galatasaray, 4-0 and the Bundesliga side does not look like as if wants to relinquish the lead in the group.
Highlights:
Anderlecht vs Arsenal (1-2) Full Highlights 22… by rubin7190