Kevin Whitcher
It was not a game to remember, but a highly satisfactory one nevertheless. Marseille away was a scrappy affair, with both sides guilty of some sloppy play, especially in the first half. However it turned into a pretty decent European away performance by an injury-ravaged Arsenal team, specifically after the interval, when the visitors stepped up a gear and improved their game.
No-one is going to say that all Arsenal’s problems have been solved by this match, but let’s take the positives. A clean sheet. A commanding performance by Laurent Koscielny who seems more suited to playing continental opposition than he does Premier League rivals. I fear for him against Stoke at the weekend when life will be a lot more physical, an area where he has proven vulnerable. Another positive was the way the side largely controlled most of the second half, although Marseille’s few set pieces were always a concern.
With seven points out of nine so far, the situation in Europe looks healthy. Arsenal should concentrate on trying to win the group rather than start to play weakened selections now as Arsène Wenger is wont to do. At least that should avoid Barcelona until the quarter finals at the earliest and the Gunners might even get lucky in the draw.
Results breed confidence and although the team at times still looks short on assurance, perhaps they can gel a little more easily as long as they are winning matches. Stoke on Sunday is a big test and nothing need be said about the following weekend’s visit to Stamford Bridge.
Roy Keane on ITV lambasted Andrey Arshavin for his performance, but it looked like a typical one to me. In a sense, perhaps it symbolizes why Arsenal have slipped behind. Some players, at times, perform like passengers, and a lack of commitment in any area of the team inevitably weakens the overall performance. Still, I guess even Dennis Bergkamp had matches where he appeared very peripheral indeed. It happens, although with Arshavin, it seems to happen a lot, which may explain the manager’s more frequent policy of starting him on the bench these days.
Ramsey’s goal was well taken, although in tighter affairs, the chances enjoyed by Van Persie and Walcott in the second half might have to be converted. The Marseille defending for the winner was straight out of the London Colney training ground, with the scorer enjoying the freedom of Provence. It was coolly finished though, so credit to the Welshman for his composure. As Marseille had defeated both Olympiacos and Dortmund, it made the group look a lot weaker than it did on paper. It was also a shame that, on Arsenal’s first visit to this famous old stadium, one side the ground was empty due to upgrade works. I think the Velodrome looks great as it is, I am uncertain if I will like it as much once there is a roof tagged on.
There is not much more that this observer has to pick out of the game. Going forward, aside from Chelsea away, looking at the fixture list, on paper, the team can build up a bit of confidence if they can beat the teams they should be capable of. However, to do this, the silly mistakes have to be eradicated – and there were a few last night – and the defending at set pieces has to be a lot better. Stoke on Sunday will be an immediate test of the latter.
The current issue of the Gooner will be on sale outside the home games v Stoke and Bolton and can be bought online here
Kevin Whitcher’s newly updated version of the book co-written with Alex Fynn, ‘Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub’ is available in paperback from publishers Vision Sports for a reduced price of £6.99 including postage if you use the promo code ‘Gooner’ on the page that appears after you click ‘buy now’. Click here to order.
