Finding positivity in another Arsenal disappointment…
In a tie that lasted 180 minutes, Arsenal paid the highest possible price for 30 mistake-ridden, cumulative seconds. Two promising performances over two legs were tempered by two momentary lapses in concentration. At this level, against this standard of opposition, that will always cost you.
Danny Welbeck, Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi combined to give Atletico Madrid a foothold in the first leg of this Europa League semi-final, while Calum Chambers and Hector Bellerin contrived to concede in the second. That David Ospina was the common denominator in both goals told its own story: a lack of true quality in crucial situations cost Arsenal.
This was no humiliation, no embarrassment. Arsenal were always the underdogs in this meeting, but were rarely outplayed. They had 35 shots over both legs to Atletico’s 21, and only one fewer on target than the Spaniards. A one-goal deficit is more gap than gulf.
But this was a step too far for Arsene Wenger and his players. There will be no chance at glorious farewell, no shot at a fairytale ending. Arsenal were good, but not good enough to earn that opportunity.
The frustration is that the Gunners knew what was required of them. “The way to behave is clear. We know we need to score,” said Wenger before the game, yet the visitors were too naïve, too guileless. They were given a week to complete their homework, but completely forgot about it until the night before the deadline. They mustered just one shot on target at the Wanda Metropolitano, Jan Oblak finally forced into action after the hour mark by a long-range Granit Xhaka effort.
One too many times, Arsenal took one too many touches. Alexandre Lacazette was guilty in the first half when played through on goal, while Mesut Ozil passed up the chance to shoot in the second. They created five chances, but never really came close to meeting their objective. Diego Godin made sure of that.
Arsenal made Atletico feel slightly uncomfortable at times, every Ozil pass akin to an off-colour joke made at the dinner table, each Jack Wilshere dribble the equivalent to an inappropriate anecdote where a little too much is shared. But the Gunners were, by and large, welcome guests, and the hosts were more than happy to entertain them for the evening. They made little fuss, were pleasant enough and even offered offered to do the dishes by the end.
It was all part of Atletico’s plan. Arsenal were slow and ponderous, reluctant to press too high for fear of a sucker punch, but failing to land any convincing blows of their own. Some driven crosses managed to brush the nose, but there was never a sense that they were in control of this bout.
The difference was that Atletico had players who can turn a game. Antoine Griezmann was excellent, creating the goal out of nothing. Diego Costa was a constant terror, taking it brilliantly. Godin was impenetrable. Arsenal had no such individual quality, nor the team ethic to make up for it.
It is a lack of ruthlessness that has been identified before, but more pertinent is the distinct lack of guidance and instruction. Atletico played with a purpose, steered both by Diego Simeone in the stands and by Godin on the pitch. The complaints of Arsenal lacking a leader have become tiresome and lazy, but they do need players and a manager with authority in key moments.
Atletico’s only potential weakness in right-back Thomas Partey was put under barely any pressure save for one moment in the second half, when his mistake allowed Ozil into the penalty area unchecked. Arsenal had exposed a wound, but simply watched on as Atletico stuck a plaster over it and marched on.
There can be tentative positivity. Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal and Aaron Ramsey were particularly poor, but Calum Chambers was impressive, and Ozil and Lacazette combined well. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was bright when introduced. Quite why he did not start is a mystery.
Some should be sold this summer, but plenty need a helping hand rather than a push out the door. There is talent in this squad, but someone needs to coax it out of them. With the right manager and a handful of suitable signings, Arsenal can become relevant again.
This is disappointment, but a reminder that the new manager will not only be inheriting hand-me-downs. It is a solid foundation to work with, a squad in need of new ideas, a fresh direction, renewed focus. Wenger’s successor will be tasked with overseeing evolution as opposed to a revolution.
Matt Stead