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Match Report: Arsenal 0 – 0 Sporting

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Arsenal (0) 0 Sporting Club of Portugal (0) 0
UEFA Europa League, Group E, Matchday 4 of 6
Emirates Stadium, Drayton Park, London N5 1BU
Thursday, 8th November 2018. Kick-off time: 8.00pm

(4-2-3-1) Cech; Lichtsteiner, Holding, Sokratis, Jenkinson; Guendouzi, Ramsey; Smith-Rowe, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi; Welbeck.
Substitutes: Martínez, Mustafi, Kolašinac, Torreira, Nketiah, Maitland-Niles, Aubameyang.
Yellow Cards: Lichtsteiner, Guendouzi
Referee: Gediminas Mazeika

After the success of the first leg, we all sincerely hope that tonight’s match will be a formality, and that Arsenal can march onwards and upwards in this competition with confidence and belief. We hope. The last time we hosted a match against tonight’s visitors was at The Old Place on 26th November 1969, and on that particular occasion, Arsenal ended up winning the game by three goals to none in front of a 35,253 crowd; the writer of this review was one of those present on a dark and cold North London night to witness this victory first hand. Eventually we went on to win the competition of course, and who knows? Perhaps the omens will be good for us this season as well. We hope.

Tonight’s match will be remembered for other things, mainly the horrific injury to Danny Welbeck in the first half, which saw the popular striker carried off with an ankle problem that looked extremely serious, especially after he was seen receiving oxygen by the medical staff whilst on the pitch. In situations such as these, we gauge the problem by the mood of the players and the deathly quiet that pervades the stadium. In and around this incident, Arsenal were gaining control, albeit in fits and starts, but nevertheless, the dominant team on the night; with over 75 per cent accredited possession, it seemed merely bagatelle that they would score, but this task eluded them.

After the match restarted, Arsenal quite understandably took time to find their previous confidence, but not so the quickfire Mattéo Guendouzi, though despite only a young player, certainly left his mark on this game with his intelligent on (and off the) ball play – a joy to watch and a problem for opponents to play against. He was everywhere tonight, on the wing, down the channels, back in defence. Certainly a player with a bright future and an important presence in this embryonic and growing team.

Arsenal certainly had their chances, with Aaron Ramsey, Emile Smith-Rowe and Henrikh Mkhitaryan feeding each other with deft passing and taking turns in taking pot-shots at the Sporting Lisbon goal. As usual, Mr. Emery started the dance of the substitutes on the hour, with a beleaguered Carl Jenkinson being replaced by the battle-hardened Sead Kolašinac, who certainly made his mark within minutes of entering the fray by intelligent positioning and clever ball distribution. Sadly our second injury of the night appeared when Stephan Lichtsteiner pulled up with what seemed to be a hamstring injury, and was replaced by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who dovetailed nicely into the existing Arsenal system tonight.

With 80 minutes on the clock, Alex Iwobi was unlucky with a chance that saw some clever inter-play between himself and Henrikh Mkhitaryan that was neutralised by the Sporting goalkeeper; just minutes afterwards, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang burst through on goal, and was brought down outside the box for his trouble. The defender was sent off, and the subsequent free-kick was wasted and soared high into the dark of the emptying stadium, which seemed to sum up Arsenal’s night overall.

Arsenal have qualified for the last 32 of the competition, but it came with a heavy price; injuries to two crucial players and another booking for Mattéo Guendouzi. But we are still unbeaten in 15 matches, and tonight was the first game that we have not found the back of the net since the Manchester City clash earier in the season. The next match at the Emirates are the emerging Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, and with the speed of their attack, our midfield and defence will be tested to the maximum. Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as these early days are going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. 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.

Serious injury to Danny Welbeck overshadows Arsenal qualification

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Danny Welbeck’s Arsenal career could be over having suffered a “very big injury” after he was carried off on a stretcher during the side’s Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.

The testimony from Arsenal photographer was replicated by former colleagues and team mates up and down the country.

In a game which is consumed by greed, arrogance and controversy, Welbeck was one of the good guys.

A hard working pro, he never sought the limelight, never courted scandal. He was never on the front pages falling out of clubs with a desperate skank on his arm. Never pictured drunk, smoking or getting into an argument. He kept his private life and his love life private. He was the model professional.

The injury to Danny Welbeck – in such innocuous circumstances, is gutting.

His career as Arsenal was potentially already coming to an end. With just 8 months left on his contract, and turning 28 towards the end of this month, Welbeck was fighting for his future. Whether that be with Arsenal or elsewhere. He was fighting for his last long term contract. Last 4-year deal.

It is still not clear how long Welbeck will be out injured.

“He is at the hospital. The news is that we are going to wait, but we think it’s a serious injury,” said Arsenal boss Unai Emery.

“Every injury is different. This could be a break of something in the ankle.

“It’s clear that we’re with him in these minutes. He’s a very good person and his commitment with us is very big.

“It’s a very big injury for him, for us, for all people who like and love him as a person.”

Welbeck was hurt in the 25th minute when he jumped for a header and landed badly on his right ankle.

He received oxygen and had his leg in a protective brace as he was taken off the pitch, with up to 10 medical staff around him as he received treatment.

After an injury like that, the result was secondary. The goalless secured a place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Arsenal are a classy club, and even if the decision was already made that Welbeck would not get a new contract, I expect we will rehabilitate him and allow him to use our facilities, doctors and physios for as long as it takes for him to fully recover. whether it be 6 months or a year.

We wish Danny Welbeck a speedy recovery.

Keenos

Book Review: Arsenal – The Complete Record

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So I purchased this book, thinking I’m just getting a book rammed with stats and facts, something I enjoy looking up from time to time, but I got so much more for my money and that’s before I mention the huge 595 page count, coincidence (?)

As a kid I would waste away the time sat on the Central line travelling home from games reading the match programme from front to back, so it feels very comfortable that each seasons stats are laid out like they are in official programme. You get to see who played, who scored, who was subbed for every game and it just feels like second nature reading it.

This isn’t the type of book you are going to take away to relax to on holiday, even the biggest statto in the world could never consume the huge amount of information that has been collated here and to be honest, get yourself up the bar ! But what makes this special is that on every season there is a write up on how it went and a write up on a player who was relevant to that season, so if you want a softer read then those very enjoyable sections are just for you.

This however is the type of book that is a must to put on your shelf or coffee table and consume at your own pace. Everything you would want to know and much more. I have found myself reading the book from the back to the front, as odd as that seems I’m just getting to the mid-90s and the memories keep flooding back.

As a bonus at the end of the book there’s tables for literally everything you would ever want to know, players appearances, goals scored, complete records Vs other clubs, overseas players, it has everything you could need for a brain teaser to mates in your Whatsapp groups or in the pub before games.

Now we are in an age where you are often only a google search away from finding the most obscure fact or stat on The Arsenal, even if often you can’t trust the source, but Josh James, Mark Andrews and Andy Kelly have painstakingly gone back to the very start in 1886 and collated it in what must be the definitive bible for all on field matters of The Arsenal.

If I hadn’t jumped the gun this book would be top of my Xmas wish list from the kids and I will be buying another copy to give to an uncle who I know will be eating up all the information in the same manner he does his pigs in blankets.

I would urge you all to buy it, this book isn’t just for Xmas!

Arsenal – The Complete Record by Josh James, Andy Kelly & Mark Andrews is available from Amazon now for £19.49.

She Wore