Kevin Whitcher
It’s been a sequence and a half…
Bayern Munich
Swansea
West Brom
Fulham
QPR
Newcastle
Fenerbahce
Fulham (again)
Sunderland
Marseille
Along there way, Arsenal have rode their luck once or twice. Some of the matches could easily have been drawn, and Marseille could have taken the three points last night, but this is a results business, and an away win in a group such as Arsenal’s is no mean feat.
It was a bit of a reality check after Ozil’s imperious debut v Sunderland, against better opposition who went close to scoring on numerous occasions. The Gunners still look vulnerable in the air from set pieces, and cannot rely on good fortune if they are to continue to pick up results on the road.
The Velodrome looked rather strange with the familiar stands having roofs, but it appeared to assist the volume which seemed even louder than the old open air days. The man with the megaphone is a great idea and one that is worth a try to drum up some noise at Arsenal, if only because the majority of the crowd these days only know about half a dozen chants. It made for a cracking atmosphere, helped by the close shaves on the pitch.
Arsenal’s passing before the interval was often a bit careless. Aaron Ramsey blamed the grass in his post match interview. Sometimes, you just need to adapt to the conditions. Mesut Ozil did not have the space to exploit that he enjoyed last weekend, but that was hardly a surprise. It was a night for digging in and trying to get out with something. A draw would have been a fair result, but as the second half progressed, Marseille needed to take chances, and things opened up.
It is interesting that although Marseille were in the pot with the second seeds in the draw, there is a perception that they are the whipping boys of this group. The vagaries of the UEFA system throw up some odd rankings, but at least it has made for a decent set of matches this season.
In the second half, Arsenal created good chances for Gibbs and Walcott, who with nothing between himself and goal, seemed to switch off his overdrive and look for a pass that he could not execute. He was having a woeful game, but in typical Theo style, popped up at the key moment to make a difference with a wonderful volley to secure the lead. It was a period of two calamitous defensive errors. Mertesacker got away with his, thanks to Gibbs, but the Marseille defender who teed up Walcott with a very strange attempted headed clearance had no such luck.
Aaron Ramsey improved as the game went on, and whisper it quietly, but there are hints of a young Bryan Robson about him. His drive for the second goal, intelligently assisted by Olivier Giroud’s run, was a joy to behold. He blotted his copy book late in the game with the concession of a penalty, even if the award might have been harsh. Put it down to fatigue and be thankful that such errors are made when they can be afforded. The home side did not have enough time to capitalize on the converted spot kick.
So Arsenal were a little fortunate, but dogged. In cups you need both luck and determination to get results, and this was a good start to a very difficult group. I am a little concerned that many of these players are not getting any kind of respite due to the thin nature of the squad, but hopefully the injured returnees will be able to help out soon. Let’s see if the same eleven start against Stoke on Sunday. More fascinating will be what kind of team takes the field against West Brom in the League Cup next week. Vermaelen as captain for that one is nailed on anyway.
The new issue of The Gooner (with exclusive material unavailable elsewhere) goes on sale at this Sunday’s game v Stoke. It will also be available to buy online in the Gooner Shop.
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