Arsenal win 2-0 in a game of misses

There was a moment in yesterday’s match where I yelped in relief at the tension that had been building. I was at work and I had closed the door to my office but there were other staff near and I could hear them milling around eating the orange tart that I had brought them for tea.

It was the 87th minute. Aubameyang had finished off a brilliant piece of counter attacking play with a devilishly lashed shot and the net was rippling, the ball even seemed to be bouncing inside the goal. I started punching the air and screaming (under my breath) “YES!” But, like when the officials call for VAR, my excitement was cut short: it was an optical illusion. Auba’s head dropped. He’d missed.

“You mother fucker”. I said.

It wasn’t a sentiment of anger directed at Auba, but rather the game. And not even the specific game that I was watching. It was directed at the game of football. Football is a motherfucker*.

It was a game of misses. I took notes throughout the game and I have to admit that almost all of them read “will they regret this?” and “was this this miss of the tie?”

Arsenal started exactly how we all want Arsenal to start games: they were pressing, harassing Napoli, forcing errors, and eventually, that defensive pressure led to the first goal.

Before I get to that goal, I want to set down a marker. Napoli are an impressive possession team. With in my notes, in the 8th minute, I have them breaking Arsenal’s pressure, and then in a crowded corner attacking the Monreal side of Arsenal’s defense, they passed around the Arsenal defenders in tight little triangles. And for the next 5 minutes or so, they continued to impress with their ability to break Arsenal’s pressure.

My impression is that this is a Napoli team full of technically gifted players, drilled at the highest level, and if you don’t pressure them, they will make the game look like a session of “piggy in the middle”. Which they were doing.

Unai seemed to counter this by increasing the space Arsenal used on the pitch. Where Napoli wanted things tight, to pass around the defense, Unai wanted to use space and the legs of his players to open up the field. I don’t mean simple counter attacking football. There was much more to it than that: Unai intentionally spread things out vertically, so that Napoli had to run more than they probably wanted to when Arsenal were in possession. And so that Napoli had to make longer passes in to the final third than they probably wanted.

The first goal for Arsenal came off that type of possession. Ainsley Maitland-Niles had literally just tried a long diagonal which floated harmlessly out of play, when Aaron Ramsey blocked (intercepted) a long entry pass from Napoli. From there it was a succession of quick vertical passes and runs which carved Napoli open.

Still, this isn’t an easy team to score against: the pass to Lacazette was good, but his return to Maitland-Niles required a nutmeg to find the runner. And Maitland-Niles was falling over as he toe-poked the ball to Ramsey, who finished the move with a goal.

And the second Arsenal goal was set up in an almost identical fashion: Torreira tackles the ball away and starts the counter for Aubameyang. He’s fouled but the referee disagrees, so Torreira jumps his man, takes the ball off them, drives at goal and shoots. There’s a deflection off Koulibaly – who is credited with the own goal, unfairly in my opinion – and Arsenal are suddenly up 2-0.

In my notes around that time I wrote “THIS!” and “Why don’t we play like this all the time? Fitness?” The THIS refers to the pressure Arsenal are applying, making Napoli look like an average passing team instead of one which routinely dominates possession. It also refers to the midfield duo of Ramsey and Torreira – who were imperious yesterday. And if I may, were similarly impressive in the second half against Tottenham. I would take those two in every match for the rest of the season if they could play the way that they did yesterday. But I fear that they just can’t quite muster that level of performance for 50 games. I mean, who really could?

But Arsenal had some cracks as well and despite hounding them off the ball expertly, Arsenal’s forwards were incredibly wasteful from open positions. In the 33rd minute, Lacazette completely whiffs at a cross from Aubameyang. Facepalm moment.

Meanwhile, Özil has one of his least effective games at Arsenal: passing into spaces where no one is playing, and even more uncharacteristically, playing the ball too hard and behind his man at times. The team seemed to be out of step with Özil yesterday – not that his sub, Mkhitaryan, did much better. So, maybe credit must be given to the Napoli defense? Though I can’t think of what they were doing to make Ozil play weirdly bad passes and then complain to his teammates about their positions.

And in the 45th minute, Napoli should have dragged one back. Some of that trademark nice interplay opened up Arsenal’s 18 yard box for Insigne who blazed a wide open shot over the bar. Thankfully, Insigne is one of the most profligate shooters in the top five leagues. He’s a misser.

The second half was more of the same, both teams going at each other like a couple of boxers. Ramsey was pulsating and unstoppable throughout. He seemed to know that we needed a third goal to settle the nerves and kept pushing forward, trying to get Arsenal that goal. With the work he put in it looks to me like Ramsey wants to win the Europa League. Perhaps as a parting gift for the Arsenal supporters.

One side would punch, the other counter: Kolasinac had a cross-come-shot saved and Meret followed that up with another save off Maitland-Niles’ rebound shot. Mertens was millimeters off a header that would have finished Cech. And in the 71st minute, Zielinski blew the chance of game with a shot over the bar from just a few feet out.

By the 80th minute, Arsenal looked gassed but still managed to press on looking for the third goal. Again it was Ramsey, this time from a similar position to Insigne, he pops up right there in the box, the cross is delivered, and it bobbles in just the second before he makes contact, sailing harmlessly over the bar.

It was all of this pressure building – they were attacking, we were countering – which led to the Aubameyang moment. Football is a motherfucker.

It was a big performance, in a big game, against a big team. And we came out 2-0 winners. It should be more than enough to go to Italy, have a few of our supporters stabbed by their supporters and then brutalized by their police, and move on to the next round.

But the team seemed to acknowledge that we needed more home goals. The amount of effort Arsenal put into the second half of this match was closer to a cup final – with the score 0-0 and time winding down – than the first leg of a quarterfinal.

I’m not at all criticizing the players, the manager, the fans, the tea lady, the “people on twitter” or anything connected to the club. What I’m saying is that we played like a team who recognized our flaws (away games) and simply sought to capitalize on our strengths (home games). It’s just smart strategy is all. And in the end, 2-0 at home should be enough to move to the next round. We should be able to muster a similar performance to this one and if we do, I have no doubt that we will move on to the next round.

If Emery talks about the process and trusting the process then perhaps we need strong performances at home like this one against Napoli and the one earlier this season against Tottenham to give the team the belief that they can play against anyone. Perhaps this is all just part of the process.

Qq

*Hey, there’s nothing wrong with motherfuckers, all of you are here, technically, because of a motherfucker.

17 comments

  1. We looked both incisive and error-riddled nervy. And on another day could have won 4 -1. We got a good result nonetheless, because we can score against them at their ground. Denying them a goal at the Emirates is a good foundation for leg 2.

    Tim, what did you think of Koulibaly? Arsene went for him a few years ago, and now every big club in England seems to want him.

    1. Honestly he is big.

      Like, physically. Other than that, I’m not really sure. He was kind of anonymous other than “scoring” that goal.

      1. He did have two blocks in a matter of seconds before the first goal – and what he’d hoped would be yet another block ended up in the back of the net. Distracted by work so I didn’t see much of the rest of it.

  2. I also screamed when Auba took that shot. I thought the tie was done. Great analysis here, Tim. Are we right to feel a little disappointed we didn’t get more?

    If we had won 3-0, not only could we have felt confident going to Napoli, but it might have given Emery more leeway to rotate players next week. Sokratis’ suspension has hemmed us in for Watford, forcing Kos to play. If we are up 3-0 maybe Emery could have rested him for Napoli next week. Now 2-0 feels like Kos has to be in the lineup. What that means for Palace from a defensive standpoint I have no idea. Kos can’t play 4 in a row. The most terrifying words in the English language are: “Maitland Niles, Lichsteiner, Mustafi, Monreal back 4.” I am dreading next Monday, if you haven’t noticed.

    Arseblog seemed to think we’re dead in the race for 4th if we lose Monday. I wouldn’t say that, but it’s a major blow, and you wonder if Emery then starts to strongly prioritize EL over PL.

    1. I wouldn’t entirely disagree with Arseblog’s assessment because of the 3 teams we’re up against for 2 spots, the only one I’m entirely confident of finishing ahead of is United. Chelsea are hard to predict (by the eye test) and could just as easily win all their games till the end of the season as lose half of them (I’m erring on the side of pessimism here). And Spurs are actually good, and arguably better without the high-shot-volume sainted knight of English football who can do no wrong yet actually does a lot of wrongs. Also Spurs get to play Huddersfield, as close to a guaranteed 3 points as you can get this season.

      As for the Europa League, providing we get through this QF, no team left in the competition holds the same fear for me that you might’ve had when, say, Atletico dropped into it last season. Of course, anything can happen, even the sub-optimal. Thankfully my name’s not Unai so I don’t have to choose between both avenues. But you understand his dilemma. Without CL money he won’t get to build anything serious.

      1. Which are Wolves and Burnley. Eminently doable, but you can understand my lack of confidence, I hope. I feel we’ll make the top 4, but that’s my feeling, nothing more rational than that.

  3. Technically Tim, as a firstborn, my father wasn’t a motherfucker until after I was born…

  4. Just a heads-up to the 7 am community to check out Jacob Stienberg’s article in today’s Guardian. I don’t what to say beyond how sickened I am. A segment of the supporter’s culture is just using football as proxy to vent frustration and worse – hatred. I love the game but such ugliness gives me great pause.

    1. You’d be amazed at how much of that still goes on in England and especially at football matches. I’ve heard plenty of it at Highbury, but not the Emirates, although my season ticket was in the family section, so probably avoided it there.
      I now live in quite a wealthy (predominantly white) part of west England and I hear it regularly in general conversations.

      1. I have a question about Ramsey. He used to frustrate because of his lack of positional discipline. But given his last few performances in the CM position and the fact that he no longer seems to be abandoning his midfield partner, can we conclude that he is in fact disciplined and his gun-ho attitude in the past was down to Wenger? Or is he simply maturing with age? I find it fascinating how he’s suddenly become one of our most defensively solid players.

        1. Probably a combination of things:
          -Wenger did encourage midfield runners, it was one of his favorite things.
          -Wenger also spent years without a fully fit striker, Giroud was often played up front as a center forward but we haven’t had a goal-hungry forward like Lacazette and Aubameyang for years. Since RvP.
          -The lack of goal threat often led to Ramsey parking up top and actually crowding players in the box. I don’t know if Wenger wanted that or if he just didn’t stop it. Either way, that was a hugely frustrating thing to watch Ramsey occupy space – especially Lacazette’s space – and leave the entire midfield to be defended by Granit Xhaka.
          -Emery’s team are more disciplined in attack. Ramsey isn’t parking in the 18 yard box. He’s making runs and then getting back. Plus, with three at the back and an extra midfielder who is trained to be more disciplined there’s more cover. It’s not a surprise that the best pairing in midfield is Torreira and Ramsey. I just don’t think Xhaka can cover the field when Ramsey forages forward and Guendouzi isn’t great at defending right now either.
          -But all that said, I think Arsenal are still an awful mess defending and a key problem is still this imbalance in midfield and with the overlapping runs of the “wingbacks”. I think in England, the coach has to be almost obsessed with killing off counters if he wants to play with a heavily attacking team like Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Man City do. Emery hasn’t quite figured that out yet but I suspect that he will – probably next year.

    2. Thanks, 1Nil, for making me aware of this article. I urge everyone to read it. This is about much more than just the game… this is a reflection of the culture and society of which the game is a part. As a Black man in America, articles like this make me feel angry, hopeless, and sad.

      Overt/covert racism and implicit bias in the U.S. Blatant bigotry, antisemitism, and racism in Europe. Racially-motivated violence in U.S. and Europe. Sexism everywhere. The rise of the fascists everywhere…

      What is the root cause of this cancer? Fear of the other? Hatred? Jealousy? I don’t know.

      I wish I could say it is solely the White man’s problem, but that’s not the entire story (It’s a LARGE part, let’s be honest, but it’s not the entire story.) However, I sincerely recommend reading Kyle Korver’s opinion piece “Privileged” – https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/kyle-korver-utah-jazz-nba

      It’s amazing when I see so many, with so much, complain so loudly (lustily even) about having so little. Complain about things not being the way they used to be.

      Can’t rub a coworker’s shoulders? Blame the women and PC culture.
      Can’t tell that racist joke that was so damned funny? Blame the Blacks and PC culture.
      Can’t not bake a cake for a gay wedding? Blame the homosexuals and PC culture.
      Can’t open that lawn care business, restaurant, or whatever shop? Blame the immigrants, the border, the E.U., whatever…and PC culture.

      So many complaints…generally from people who already have the lion’s share of their society’s benefits and beneficial presumptions.

  5. Ramsey’s miss on 80 was my motherfucker moment.
    Great game, well set up for the second leg, and with a bit of luck and a following wind – and a goal or tow on the break – we should go through.
    (Famous last words).

  6. A*- class writing, as always, mate. Really insightful re Arsenal’s use of space Vs Napoli’s use of possession. Best thing I’ve read about the game.

  7. The commentator kept saying that he had never seen a Carlo Ancellotti team pass the ball so clumsily.
    Niw it makes sense; Emery set the team up to force them into mid to long range aerial balls – cover space.

    Thanks for that.

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