Kevin Whitcher
It was a relief to see a return to good form for Arsenal on Champions League Matchday Five. Dinamo Zagreb, having beaten the Gunners in Croatia in the first game of the group stage, set up to limit their hosts’ opportunities, and with a 4-1-4-1 formation, managed to shackle Arsene Wenger’s side for almost half an hour. With the chill starting to bite and a lack of real excitement on the pitch it was starting to feel like it might be a dull evening.
Many had stayed away. I’d guestimate the real attendance was around the 48,000. The club actually came close to selling out this match, which, at Grade B prices, was something of a triumph. Those that did attend were well rewarded for their efforts. Having said that, the extra security measures meant that the traditionally late arrivals for these evening matches saw the stadium around only 40% full at kick off. A few may have been put off by recent events that led to the more thorough searches, but in my view, the attendance was probably more down to many not fancying a chilly late November night for a game which was generally felt to be academic. Even after last night, the bookies are offering 12/5 on Arsenal finishing second in this group, whereas Olympiacos are 2/5. If you are tempted to have a bet but don’t know where to start reading through these betting articles will give you a steer.
Dinamo’s odds of getting anything from this game lengthened considerably after Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil combined wonderfully for the German to score a rare header. He almost converted a second header near the conclusion of the match. It turned into that kind of evening. With the Croatians forced to abandon their containment policy, the game opened up and we enjoyed some very watchable football from the home side. Sanchez scored two goals (the second an absolute treat after being set up by Joel Campbell) and there could have been more. It was thoroughly entertaining fare, and good to see the return as a substitute of Aaron Ramsey to competitive action.
After three disappointing matches, it was important for Arsenal to get back on track and the quality of the opposition meant that they took full advantage of the opportunity. That one of Dinamo’s players received a four year ban for being caught taking a banned substance before Arsenal’s game in Zagreb raises questions about whether Wenger’s team might have got something from that fixture under normal circumstances. The result has stood, although punishing Zagreb rather than the player himself would make little difference to Arsenal unless they were awarded the points from the game. Still, at least it would provide a disincentive for the club to field such players (and do their own testing to make sure their squad is indeed clean).
However, because the result stands, Arsenal need a two goal win in Greece (or a win with a hatful of goals) to qualify. There is no longer any need to obsess about whether the club should throw third place and avoid the Europa League, as regardless of what happens on matchday six, Dinamo will finish fourth. Those that say the club can do without the Europa League need not worry. If there is any feeling that participation in the tournament would have an adverse effect on a title challenge, it can be exited at the first knockout round stage with the kind of side that travelled to Sheffield Wednesday. It really isn’t a problem.
Treating a UEFA competition with such disdain would not go down well in Nyon, but looking at the organisation’s “Respect” banner fluttering high up in the north east corner of the stadium last night, I was reminded of the recommendation of FIFA’s own ethics committee that the UEFA president and FIFA vice-president Michel Platini should be punished for his alleged corruption with a life ban from football. In many different ways, where money is concerned, football is rotten to the core, real pigs in the trough stuff. And there are few innocents, including some that profess a high moral stance. For legal reasons, I will have to leave it there.
Still, great win last night.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale at the forthcoming home match against Sunderland and away this weekend at Norwich. It can also be bought online here.
DIGITAL ISSUES
The Gooner is also available in digital form, through The Gooner App on iPhones and iPads, the Exactly App for Android devices and now Kindle Fire owners can also get their fix by searching the Amazon App Store for The Gooner.
You can also subscribe at www.exacteditions.com and read it through your internet browser as well as receiving a code which will enable you to access issues on all the above devices.
All digital subscriptions include access to our digital back issue library which dates back to August 2010.
