When you hit a hurdle in the race of life, you have two options.
The first is you regain your balance, and drive towards the next hurdle. The other option is you fall to the floor, feel sorry for yourself and blame that hurdle for ruining your race.
I had two choices today with the blog.
The first was to look back on Thursday’s result, feel sorry for ourselves, dwel on nothing going our way, point out everything that went wrong, and then allow it to ruin the build up to our next game.
Alternatively, I could look forward. Put the game in my wing mirrors and drive away for it, focusing on the further journey ahead. And that is what we are doing.
Crystal Palace at home is up next.
We face a Palace team who are the worst in the Premier League in 2023, and that have just sacked their manager Patrick Vieira.
Zero wins and just 4 goals in their 11 games since the turn of the year, in recent weeks they have not even been able to muster a shot on goal.
On paper, it should be an easy win. But games are not won on paper.
We all remember Everton away not too long ago, and how they bounced back with a new manager. Beat us 1-nil.
Palace have also been a bit of a bogey team for us in recent seasons – we have beaten them just twice in 9 games.
They are set up perfectly to exploit our high line, with the quick, strong, trickey wingers. And that is how they have scored 16 goals against us in those 9 games.
Traditionally they would sit back, soak up pressure, and then hit us on the counter. And when Palace were 1-0 up they were more dangerous.
As sides would throw more men into attack, they would be more space for them to launch a counter.
But then they have crumbled for a reason. And I would be surprised if that reason is suddnely lifted in the 48 hours they have without Vieira.
Wilfried Zaha looks a shadow of the man he was, whilst his heir apparent Michael Olise has not really kicked on.
Olise is one of these players that looks classy on the ball. A silky right winger with a lovely left foot. But his output does not justify the hype around his talent – just 4 goals in the 2 seasons he has been at Palace.
Eberechi Eze is another who has not really kicked on. Now 24, he is no longer a talented youngster and looks distinctly average.
The 3 are all fairly lazy in defence. None are high tempo pressers. And that does not suit the current game where your forward line are expected to put in a shift.
You could perhaps accomodate one of them (Zaha) and the lack of defensive shift. But having all 3 on the pitch means that sides can too easily build up their play.
Connor Gallagher has been a huge miss this season. He was the one that covered that ground defensively in the attacking third.
Palace will also be without Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga tomorrow.
The Belgium has played well since getting a taxi south of the river. He will probably be replaced by Luka Milivojevic.
Milivojevic best days are behind him and his legs are gone. And with no James McArthur, it will be down to Chieck Doucoure to be to try and cover Arsenal’s midfield.
And this is where Palace differ to Everton,
Everton could pack the mdifield with Gueye, Onana and Doucoure (a different one!). Whilst on the wings they had the hard working Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil.
They worked hard to keep a clean sheet and took their chance with a corner.
I just can not see a midfield of Milivojevic and Doucoure having the answer to Odegaard, Xhaka, Partey, Saka and Martinelli. Especially when you take into account how little cover they will have from their attackers.
We could probably afford to sit a little deeper against Palace. Their front 3 should be fairly easy to play through and Partey will have the space of the Emirates to dictate play on the half way line.
With Palace at home followed by an international break, you can see why Mikel Arteta went fairly strong on Thursday night.
Like me, Arteta will already have the team looking forward to tomorrow. There will be no space to lick your wounds. We need to have the mentality of champions and focus on our next 11 games.
And that is what it is all about. The next 11 games.
We can not let a single game against Sporting define our season. We need to regain our balance and drive forward once more.
We might have lost the battle on Thursday night, but we can still win the war.
Arsenal (1) 1 Sporting Clube de Portugal (0) 1 (3-3 on aggregate)
(Sporting Clube de Portugal won 5-3 on penalties)
Europa League, Round of Sixteen, Second Leg of Two
Emirates Stadium, Drayton Park, London N5 1BU
Thursday, 16th March 2023. Kick-off time: 8.00pm
(4-4-2-) Aaron Ramsdale; Takehiro Tomiyasu, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Reiss Nelson, (Jorge Luiz Frello Filho) Jorginho, Granit Xhaka (c), Fabio Vieira; Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus.
Substitutes: Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Emile Smith-Rowe, Jakob Kiwior, Rob Holding, Leandro Trossard, Matt Turner, James Hillson.
Scorers: Granit Xhaka (19 mins)
Yellow Cards: Fabio Vieira, Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding
Arsenal Possession Percentage: 53%
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
Assistant Referees: Pau Cebrian Devis (Spain), Roberto Diaz Perez (Spain)
Fourth Official: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain)
Referee Observer: Andreas Schluchter (Switzerland)
VAR Team at UEFA: VAR Massimiliano Irrati (Italy); AVAR Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva (Spain)
Attendance: circa 60,000
Another week, another huge game for both the club and its supporters as well. Eddie Nketiah is still injured, and therefore misses tonight’s match. However, it is good to see Gabriel Jesus in the first team line-up tonight, which sees a few changes from last Sunday’s game at Fulham.
We kicked off the proceedings on this rainy North London night, and with high expectations all round, the crowd are in fine fettle; let us hope that the boys pick up on this aatmosphere and win this match. The visitors certainly brought the game to us in the early stages; it was sad to see Takehiro Tomiyasu not being able to take any further part in this game due to an unfortunate injury in the ninth minute of the game. His place was taken by Ben White, and although we are playing well both on and off the ball, the visitors are pressing us back in our own half. We were extremely fortunate not to concede an early goal when Francisco Trincão cut inside and took a snap shot at our goal, missing the far post by inches. We then started to wake up a bit and Jorginho chipped a ball forward that ran away from Gabriel Jesus and into the arms of the Sporting goalkeeper, Antonio Adan. We then opened the scoring on the nineteenth minute when Gabriel Martinelli was played in behind the Sporting defence; he ran in from the left wing and saw his shot blocked, but captain Granit Xhaka was there on the follow-up to smash a shot home. William Saliba then walked off with an injury, and was replaced by Rob Holding, and we started to push back the visitors in their own half, and a big call for a penalty came when Gabriel Jesus went down after an outstretched leg felled him; amazingly, the referee never gave us a penalty because of a previous offside incident, which was a shame. Fabio Vieira was booked for a silly challenge, and the match was starting to edge towards us, albeit very slowly. Marcus Edwards ran deep into the our half, Oleksandr Zinchenko ran alongside him and our man came out on top, holding the Sporting forward up and then blocking his shot before clearing, in a show of great defending. Gabriel Jesus was found in the penalty area by Granit Xhaka before beating a couple of defenders and hitting a low shot that was saved by Antonio Adan. A couple of minutes later, Gabriel Jesus had got three defenders in front of him but he took an excellent first touch. He somehow managed to get his shot away through the legs of the defender but Antonio Adan got down to make a good save. Gabriel Jesus is causing problems for the Sporting defenders, and is sensational out there tonight. Gabriel Martinelli ran down the left-hand side; he is alone and he has to stop it going out inititally and then was able to twist and turn; he played a lovely ball to Gabriel Jesus who took a good first touch, but his second ran away from him. Our desire to score a second goal before the break is there for all to see, and although the Sporting attackers are stringing some good passes together, at the moment we are holding them out extremely well. There were four minutes injury time awarded and during it, Granit Xhaka received our second yellow card of the match because of a clumsy challenge, and although there was a dangerous moment or two, we went into half-time as deserved leaders.
For the second half, Leandro Trossard replaced Gabriel Jesus, and early on in the half, Gabriel went down to the floor, injured after helping repelling a Sporting attack; thankfully, he was able to continue playing. The visitors are pressing us back in our half and are finding their men well, it has to be said. Aaron Ramsdale came out of his goal to dive and push away Ricardo Esgaio’s sharp cross from the right wing ahead of another Sporting player, and we are allowing them to play their game and cause us issues. Rob Holding is playing well tonight, doing well to stop their players whenever he is able; we need to take his example and get a serious grip of this match. And sure enough, just afater the hour we conceded the equaliser when Pedro Gonçalves, sseeing Aaron Ramsdale off his line, hit the ball from just past the halfway line, and despite our goalie trying to get back to save it, the ball (and Aaron Ramsdale) ended up into the back of our net. Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka replaced Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira shortly afterwards to put some steel and fire into the team, and with just over twenty minutes of the game remaining, it remains to be seen if we can turn this match around. Rob Holding received our third yellow card of the evening after a silly tackle, and a couple of minutes later, Aaron Ramsdale made a brilliant save to deny Marcius Edwards with the side of his face. A miracle save to keep us in the game. With ten minutes of the match remaining, after much desperate football by both sides, Leandro Trossard swung the corner into the gathered bodies in the box. It glances off Gabriel’s head and goes wide. We had a penalty appeal turned down, despite being fairly obvious, and with the clock ticking down, it is looking like extra time now. Both teams are doing their best to try and finish it before then, but it is hard to say as to whether that will happen. A Marcus Edwards shot from long range went flying over the bar, and during the four minutes injury time, although there was plenty of effort, no goals were scored.
And so the visitors kicked off the first period of extra time, and we took the game to them immediately. The ball broke to Fabio Vieira on the edge of the Sporting penalty area. He can turn and shoot, but instead tried to flick the ball to a team-mate and gave it away. Then a minute later, Ben White won the ball high up but his pass to send Fabio Vieira in on goal was too heavy and it went nowhere. Leandro Trossard was gifted the ball by a thoughtless pass from a Sporting player. He ran in goal and steadied himself before shooting but his effort hit the arm of Sporting keeper Antonio Adan and then hit the post before being cleared. Fabio Vieira was replaced by Martin Ødegaard (who was handed the capttain’s armband by Granit Xhaka) and we started to look good; almost innmediately he was in on the action when he sent a ball through to Bukayo Saka, but he was offside. Youssef Chermiti went down holding his ankle after a fair challenge from Gabriel; surprisingly, the referee waved dismissively for him to get up. After a corner which was cleared by a Sporting defender, the referee blew the whistle for the end of the first period of extra time. We kicked off the last period of extra time; fifteen minutes to go, and if it is not resolved, then it is penalties. A ball from the right broke for Thomas Partey but he fired his shot wide, and then Leandro Trossard darted to the byline to receive the ball and then slotted a cross that Martin Ødegaard shot well off target. We are continually probing and pushing; Martin Ødegaard sent a neat pass through the Sporting defence for Bukayo Saka but he can only chip a cross straight to goalkeeper Antonio Adan. We are starting to get ahead of the oppoositon now, tough as it is, tonight. With four minutes of the match remaining, a Martin Ødegaard free kick found the head of Gabriel, whose header was saved by Antonio Adan, just before a red card was given to Manuel Ugarte for a terrible tackle on Bukayo Saka. A couple of minutes later, the referee blew for the end of the match, and we now have penalties!
Jeremiah St. Juste scored the first one, equalised by Martin Ødegaard, then Ricardio Esgaio took the second, with Bukayo Saka scoring for us. Inacio Goncalo took their third penalty, which was almost saved by Aaron Ramsdale. Leandro Trossard scored for us to equalise the scores. Arthur Gomes scored for Sporting, but Gabriel Martinelli’s penalty was saved by Antonio Adan. The final act of the night was taken by Nuno Santos, and we were out of the competition.
At the end of the day, it was a very disappointing result, especially after such a physically and mentally demanding match. We almost won it several times in the second half (and in extra time too), but it was not to be, sadly. The visitors had a game plan, and by and large it worked. We shall learn from this, and when we come back in European competition next year, they will be tougher for the experience. Maybe next time.
Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as this season is going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. Our next match: Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday, 19th March at 2.00pm (Premier League). Be there, if you can. Victoria Concordia Crescit.
Steve
Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten: Arsenal v Racing Club de Paris 1930-1962 by Steve Ingless (Rangemore Publications, ISBN 978-1-5272-0135-4) is now available on Amazon
Our European journey continues tonight as we look to progress to the quarter final of the Europa League.
There is a school of thinking that it “will not be a bad thing if Arsenal go out tonight”. That is the wrong mentality to have.
Momentum
The defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup was the beginning of a 4 game run without a win. We have re-grouped and are now 6 unbeaten (5 Premier League victories and the draw in Lisbon).
I always think when games are coming thick and fast, you keep the pedal to the metal and push through.
Resting too many tonight will not automatically result in a victory on Sunday against Crystal Palace. Nor will it guarantee us the league.
Feeling unbeatable can add extra to a player. Confidence rises any athlete to another level. We can not afford for any of the team to begin to doubt that they belong.
We have a strong squad filled with top players, and whilst Mikel Arteta will shuffle the pack, I expect him to maintain a 50/50 team. 50% starters, 50% 2nd string.
That should be enough to see us through tonight and maintain the momentum.
Keeping the fringe fresh
You never know when a fringe squad player might be called upon. It is therefore important to keep them fresh and sharp.
Training can only take players to a certain level. But they need games to be match sharp.
The goal conceded against Sporting from a corner was probably a result of Matt Turner and Jakub Kiwior not being match sharp. We have also recently seen Takehiro Tomiyasu struggle when he came in for Ben White.
Getting the likes of Turner, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Tierney and Vieira game time will mean that if they are needed against Palace or beyond, they will be closer to being match ready.
The quarter finals of the Europa League are on the 13 and 20 of April. If we make it through tonight, then many of our fringe players will be playing 4 games in 4 weeks. That will keep them fresh and ready for the Premier League if called upon.
Are we a top team?
Manchester City (at the time of writing) are chasing a historic treble. Man U chasing a Btec treble.
Napolo are leading Serie A and still in the Champions League. Real Madrid looking to add the Champions League and Copa del Rey to a couple of Super Cups.
Barcelona are chasing a domestic league and cup double, whilst Bayern Munich are on for a treble.
Top teams fight on mutiple fronts. And if we consider ourselves a top team, then we should be looking to win both the Premier League and Europa League.
Back up plan
We have been brilliant this season in the Premier League, but it will mean nothing if we end the season without a trophy.
We lost in the League Cup 3rd round to Brighton at home. That was very disappointing, especially after we took the league.
Had we won, our path to the final would have been Charlton, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
In the FA Cup, we rested a lot of players against Man City. Pep put out his strongest XI and they scrapped to a 1-0 win. City have since played Bristol City and next face Burnley.
Man U, Brighton and Fulham are the only other remaining Premier League sides left in the FA Cup.
Let me paint a scenario: we finish 2nd and Man U win the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup. I know whose season I would have preferred…
We have thrown away two good opportunities to win a trophy. We should not let a chance to win a European cup slip easily through our hands.
UEFA Coefficient
Due to getting nil point last season, we have dropped to 23rd in UEFA’s Coefficient Ranking.
That means we will likely be in Pot 3 in next seasons Champions League – drawn against the Champions League winners, Europa League winners and Champions of Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Holland.
Pot 2 will then be filled with the next top 8 sides in Europe.
That would potentially be Real Madrid, Roma, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig and Benfica.
If we win the Europa League, we go straight into Pot 1, meaning that we miss the champions from around Europe.
A semi-final defeat could be enough to see us jump into pot 2.
If we want to avoid having 2 big guns in the Group Stages of next seasons Champions League, we need to progress in Europe.
Starved of European success
European trophies is the only stain in our history.
A club the size of Arsenal, with the domestic success we have had, should have won more than the now defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and European Cup Winners Cup.
In my lifetime, I have seen us runners-up in the Champions League, the UEFA Cup/Europa League (twice) the ECWC and the European Super Cup. I want to be in Budapest in May.
Keenos
Morning Arsenal fans. How you feeling this morning?
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 