Frank Lee
In the 2014 Champions League Final in Lisbon, two sets of supporters from the same Spanish city congregated in neighbouring Portugal. Atletico Madrid, with Diego Costa carrying an injury which necessitated his 9th minute substitution, played a game not dissimilar from that Arsenal played in 1994 to beat Parma, or indeed in 2005 to win the FA Cup against Manchester United. It was a backs to the wall job, with only selective moments when the team moved forward en masse. Atleti’s centre back Diego Godin scored from a corner in the first half, and his team clung on until a second half injury time equaliser by Sergio Ramos.
By this time, Atletico had given more or less everything they had, and Real put them to the sword in extra-time, running out 4-1 winners. One of my most vivid memories at the time was reading an pre-match interview with the former Chelsea midfielder Tiago, saying the Atleti players would jump off a bridge for Diego Simeone if he asked them to.
That struck me as real commitment to the cause, something I had not felt watching Arsenal for many seasons. Character. Troy Deeney’s cojones.
Arsenal will need that this evening in the Wanda Metropolitano. The stats about Atletico’s home matches there suggest the settling in period did not last more than half a season at the most. It’s now a fortress as much as their old Vicente Calderon stadium ever was. Supporters who check bookmaker odds if placing a bet on the game will find the odds on Arsenal progressing at around 12-5. Atletico making the final is around 3-1 on. So the bookies don’t give Arsenal much chance.
One thing is certain. Arsenal have to score. Atletico have not conceded a goal in their previous 11 home matches in all competitions, but that record has to stop sometime. Diego Simeone’s team have no need to take risks as long as the match remains goal-less, and can pick Arsenal off on the break. Yet, there is hope. Firstly, European knockout football this season has taught us that we can take nothing for granted. Secondly, even though Atleti had only ten men for most of the game at the Emirates last week, their approach this evening will not be very different. And Arsenal managed to create a hatful of chances in the first leg, in spite of the reputation of Diego Simeone’s side.
Add to this that Henrik Mkhitaryan will surely start – there’s no reason not to risk him, no reason to protect him beyond a possible final appearance in two weeks’ time. He will presumably be more of a threat than Danny Welbeck or Alex Iwobi. So expect a front three of the Mkhitaryan, Lacazette and Ozil, with Welbeck coming on as a sub if required.
The midfield trio will be Xhaka, Ramsey and Wilshere, with the back four presumably Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscienly and Monreal. However, it is interesting to see that Konstantinos Mavropanos was included in the squad that travelled to Spain after an impressive debut against Manchester United at the weekend. Might Arsene Wenger, a normally predictable manager, throw a curve ball into proceedings, given how hapless Mustafi has been of late? I doubt it, as when all’s said and done, he is not one to take a chance, although some will believe starting Mustafi is doing exactly that. In theory David Ospina should be in goal, (especially given that he was also selected at Old Trafford).
Arsenal have beaten the odds before against big teams in recent memory, Manchester City and Chelsea in last season’s FA Cup being notable examples. The team then played with a real desire and commitment seen all too infrequently under Arsene in recent seasons. Perhaps it was because a trophy was within reach. Certainly they have every incentive. Aside from silverware, it will mean a Champions League campaign next season, and a chance, if the players do give a damn, to send off the manager in style.
I was astonished when the players achieved a 2-0 win in the San Siro off the back of a poor run away from home back in March. And that against a team with a very impressive run of form. They can surprise.
So, one last chapter of Wenger’s Arsenal story awaits its conclusion. There were 24 years between Arsenal’s first two European titles, and 24 years since their last in 1994. And for the manager, it needs to be a case of third time lucky with Arsenal, were he to make another European final. The significance of landing the trophy is pretty damn large in the scheme of things with regard to his successor and how long it will take to deliver the club back to the level it was in Arsene’s first decade. Enjoy the game folks… if you can!
We are bringing out a special edition of The Gooner for the Burnley game. This will be a special on Arsène’s 22 years at the club. It will pay tribute to some of the wonderful times he has given us, but won’t ignore the less enjoyable stuff, if only because there will be a review of every season alongside a plethora of articles about different aspects of his time in North London. It will be 84 pages thick and will cost £5. We have little doubt the official programme will also be an Arsène tribute of a more sugar-coated variety, but you pay your money, you take the choice. Important to note – no-one’s subscription covers this special edition. Existing subscriptions cover up to issue 271 (the current edition) and those of you who have committed to next season will get their first issue in August (272). This special edition is available to order online for posting to you tomorrow (Friday) – you can pre-order it here. Orders received by 8am tomorrow morning will get their issues posted that day. Or if you are not coming to the Burnley game, assuming we do not sell out, the sellers for our reduced matchday sales operation next season should have copies.
