Kevin Whitcher
It couldn’t last forever, although it seemed a long shot that Arsenal, having been defeated four times in a row – and twice at home – would get a win last night against Milan. Gennaro Gatusso’s side had not lost in 2018, only conceding three goals in the process. On form, this was a no contest. And one that was to be played in front of a crowd far larger than we are accustomed to seeing at the San Siro in recent years.
It didn’t augur well for an Arsenal which lined up with a formation that didn’t give much faith they would be able to resist the Italian side’s attack. Monreal and Bellerin both injured. Calum Chambers at right back. A midfield anchored by Granit Xhaka, with Ramsey and Wilshere to provide support. Ozil and Mkhitaryan in attack, neither of them with any great reputation for pressing. Shkodran Mustafi at centre-back, a player who has done little to inspire confidence of late.
And yet, they came away at the end of the match with a 2-0 victory to take into the second leg. Arsenal being Arsenal – and you never know what you are going to get with this team as last night proved – may have a foot in the quarter finals, but are certainly not qualified yet. At least though, it should mean a relatively decent turn out for the second leg on Thursday next week. Should they make it to the semi-finals, the games will come thick and fast. Four Thursday encounters in five weeks starting on April 5th. After the match Arsene Wenger pinpointed the schedule of four matches in ten days as the reason for the run of four defeats (actually it was eleven days, but anyway). For the record, his players had turned out twice in the eighteen days preceding it, and in one of the four matches in eleven days, he played a shadow team ahead of the League Cup Final. So the fatigue story didn’t ring true.
What is certain though, is that if you wish to win trophies, you are generally going to be playing most midweeks at this stage of the season. It can’t come as a surprise or critically an excuse. I’d have bought it in 1980 when the Arsenal side played 70 matches in one season, but in 2017-18, Arsenal will play a maximum of 60 matches, and in at least 10 of those, the first team have effectively had the day off with the rotation for the League Cup early rounds and the Europa League group stage.
It was very much the strongest possible selection (injuries and eligibility allowing) for the game in Italy, and if anything, we will probably see players rested in the Premier League should the club progress to the last eight. Arsenal scored twice – after 15 minutes and right at the death of four minutes of first half injury time – against what looked like a very out of sorts Milan line up. One amazing moment when the scores were level saw their forward Calhanoglu beat David Ospina to the ball just inside the area, but not go down under the goalkeeper’s challenge. It was an astonishing moment of good fortune. Aside from that, after some early pressure, the home team were largely impotent, their shooting and final balls woeful. It was like watching the Gunners on a bad day. I am still uncertain how much this victory was down to how bad Milan were rather than Arsenal needing to be any good. Employees of the Milan transport companies were on strike from an hour before the game. It was almost as if the Rossoneri had downed tools in sympathy at times, so woeful were they.
In fact, Wenger’s team could have scored more than two – both Mkhitaryan and Welbeck missing some very decent opportunities. They carved open a team with a reputation for a solid defence with ease. Defensively, they seemed to show far greater commitment than we have seen for a while, possibly motivated – as they were in the FA Cup last season – by the reality this is their only chance of success this season. Yet, this trait of picking and choosing when they are going to show up is a concern. It will never win you a league title, and there seems to be evidence in recent years that Arsenal have become a cup team, rather like they were at the tail end of the George Graham era.
It’s a real headscratcher. The next two matches are at home, and both will be interesting. Watford know they can beat Arsenal anywhere on their day, and one suspects the focus of the Gunners will not be 100% with the second leg of this tie four days later. As for the return leg itself, if Milan open the scoring, things could get nervy. Granted, that looks unlikely after last night’s display, but then again, who could have predicted Arsenal would put in a shift and come away with two goals and a clean sheet?
One of the reasons football is such a gripping sport is that it is never totally 100% predictable. I am far from convinced that, should Arsenal progress from this tie, it will save Arsene Wenger’s job. Winning the competition probably would do, but the bottom line is that if the club fail to get back into the Champions League next season, he’s out on his ear. Hence he was only given a two year contract last May. But in a sense, the victory last night is all the evidence needed that the club cannot go on like this. What we have seen this season is that the players seem to decide when they are going to play to the level of their abilities. If a team is picking and choosing when it’s going to turn up, you’re in deep trouble.
So enjoyable as last night’s game was, it shouldn’t mask the reality of this campaign. At least though, it will ensure that there is at least one more game this season when the Emirates crowd will actually use their seats.
I’ll leave you with a text received from the learned Doktor Schneide: Typical. Just when you think the life support machine is going to be switched off, there’s an unexpected sign of recovery.
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