Advantage Arsenal, or a missed opportunity?

The Gunners seemed to have picked themselves up following a rollercoaster of emotions for the last month. Despite booking their place in the Champions League semi final, they were knocked out of the FA Cup, beaten in the EFL Cup final and lost two Premier League games in a row. But, they were able to beat Newcastle at the weekend, restoring a slender advantage at the top of the table. However, the prospect of a Champions League final is on the cards, they just have to get through Atletico Madrid first.

First Half

The opening exchanges were nervous, but nothing out of the ordinary. The first chance actually fell for Arsenal. Noni Madueke surged to the byline and hung a cross towards the back post. Gabriel Martinelli threw himself at it, but inadvertently put off Piero Hincapie who volleyed wide. Atletico Madrid hit back around 10 minutes later with Julian Alvarez testing David Raya from range. Raya was forced into a good save. Immediately, the Gunners cleared their lines and a counter attack opened up. Viktor Gyokeres galloped away and took the ball deep into the Atletico box, he then pulled it back across the goal where Martin Odegaard was waiting. The Norwegian couldn’t really find the space for a shot and smashed it against a defender. It was game of each team trying to pick the lock of their opponent, but with limited success. Madueke attempted to create his own success, but his curled effort flashed just wide of the post. That would be the only real sighter of goal either team would have for over 10 minutes. The next big event was a penalty awarded to Arsenal. A nice exchange between Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi put Gyokeres through on goal, but he was bundled over and referee pointed to the spot immediately. The Swedish international made no mistake, 1-0 Arsenal. That would be the last action of the half.

Second Half

The home side returned to the pitch with more vigour. Arsenal remained calm for the opening minutes, but Alvarez did come close with a well hit free kick. That seemed to invigorate them further as a mistake lead to Atletico’s best chance of the match. Antoine Griezmann fed Ademola Lookman who crashed a shot straight at Raya. The rebound fell to Griezmann who knocked it back towards goal, but Gabriel was there with an important block. The Gunners appeared to be get away with it, but the resulting corner saw Marcos Llorente’s volley strike Ben White’s hand in the box. Alvarez made no mistake from the spot, 1-1. Diego Simeone’s men chased the second goal and almost got it. Griezmann, at the heart of it again, hit the bar from close range. He was then given a second bite of the cherry, but his volley deflected wide. The follow up corner saw Alvarez almost catch Raya out with a cheeky effort that looked like it was going creep under the crossbar, of course the Spaniard was alert to it. It felt like relentless pressure from the Simeone’s side as Lookman was presented with another golden opportunity. He caught White sleeping, but he couldn’t put any conviction on his shot. Raya stayed strong to keep the shot out. As the momentum was all in Atletico’s favour, another penalty was awarded for Arsenal. Against the run of play, Eberechi Eze was caught by David Hancko. However, the referee and VAR overturned the decision. For me, it was a penalty. Contact is light, but the contact is there and Hancko doesn’t get any of the ball. Following that decision, the game settled down and the Spanish side sat deeper. Cristian Mosquera came close after coming on, but his shot was too central and Jan Oblak saved with ease. Declan Rice then had a speculative effort from range, but it bounced wide. Despite Arsenal taking back control, Atletico had the last chance of the match. Nahuel Molina thundered an effort towards goal that just cleared the crossbar. That was it, 1-1.

Statistics

Arsenal were right in the game, but Atletico had the better of the chances. Arsenal had 11 shots with 2 on target, generating an xG of 1.50 with 2 big chances created. Atletico had 18 shots with 4 on target. They created 2.22 xG with 3 big chances created.

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Raya – 8 – He made a couple of crucial saves, even if they were on the easier side. He could do nothing for Alvarez’s penalty as it was so sweetly struck.

White – 2 – He’s at the end of his Arsenal career and that performance showed it. Perhaps unlucky to give away the penalty, but you always run the risk with your arm outstretched like that. Lookman was too strong and too quick for him.

Saliba – 8 – Had a couple of iffy moments, but nothing to be concerned about. Once again he was strong, composed and the best defender on the ball.

Gabriel – 7 – He was decent, but his mistake started Atletico’s flurry of chances. He did make a crucial block from Griezmann though, goal saving.

Hincapie – 5 – Physically he dominated Simeone in the first half, but struggled with Llorente in the second. He’s not great on the ball and it shows in bigger matches like this. It feels like he doesn’t trust his first touch and that takes the sting out of any attacking momentum.

Rice – 9 (MOTM) – He was superb in the first half and managed okay in the second. We seem to be better with him at the core of the midfield, allowing Zubimendi to roam higher. An excellent performance overall and exactly what you need from your big midfielder.

Zubimendi – 7 – He plays better further up the pitch and it’s as simple as that. I think he feels more comfortable picking up positions in the pocket. He helped contribute to our penalty with some tidy passing.

Odegaard – 5 – We build better with him, but he should’ve done a lot better with Gyokeres’ pull back. In a physical battle like that, I feel like he shy’s away. Dragged off early in the second half, probably due to injury problems this season.

Madueke – 7 – A real positive impact and I liked it. He created our first chance and came close with another later on. It felt more mature from him.

Gyokeres – 7 – I think he played pretty well. That counter attack deserved a goal, but Odegaard couldn’t capitalise. He won the penalty and stuck it away with conviction, always reliable in tense situations.

Martinelli – 3 – It felt like he was playing left wing back, rather than left wing. Defensively fine, but added nothing going forward. Controlled in possession, but not threatening at all.

Subs

Eze – 8 – He came on and added some flair and unpredictability. He got caught on the ball a couple of times, but his desire to try and change the momentum should be applauded. He also won the penalty that was incorrectly overturned.

Trossard – 4 – He came on and immediately put us in danger, but he helped steady the game after that point. Didn’t really have much going forward though.

Jesus – 4 – You can tell he’s lost his pace and sharpness, but can’t fault his desire to try and create something. However, he didn’t really add anything to our attack.

Saka – 5 – Started slow, but then beat Matteo Ruggeri a couple of times. Final ball let him down though.

Mosquera – N/A

Summary

Job half done. I think coming away from that game without losing is what we wanted going into it, but it’s a shame we couldn’t get that win over the line. The first half performance was perfect. We restricted Atletico to very little and we created a few opportunities. We collapsed in the second half and that’s something we’ll have to improve upon in the next leg. I think we’ll beat them at the Emirates, but it won’t be the 4-0 like last time. They won’t have the crowd behind them and I think they, along with Simeone, affected some of the decisions that the referee made. Especially the overturned penalty. I think behind Alvarez, Griezmann and Lookman, they don’t have an exceptional team. We can get at them if we’re smart about it.

Arsenal vs Fulham Predicted Lineup

Fulham, even at the Emirates, will be extremely tough. They’re a very good side and play good football. They’re the kind of team we struggle against and we’ll likely struggle against them in this one. As much as I want Rice to have a rest, we all know Mikel Arteta won’t give him that. But, this is the team I’d go with. There’s a chance Kai Havertz might be back, but I reckon we’ll see him for West Ham on May 10th. I also hope we get Jurrien Timber back for one of the upcoming games because we desperately need him, even with his shortcomings in attack. The Fulham game will reek of fatigue, but if we beat them then that’s another huge win under our belts. That also means that Manchester City will sit six points behind us, putting the pressure back on them. Let’s get it!