But Gunners boss might have found a free cure
IT WAS an all-too-familiar pose last season. Arsene Wenger, with both hands on the small of his back, patrolling his technical area looking like he was suffering from lumbar pain.
We saw it again yesterday as his Arsenal went behind in the 46th minute, despite being the better side up until Victor Moses struck.
Last season the Gunners conceded 44 goals in the top flight, the most by any of the top six sides. Then there was that horrific pair of 5-1 defeats to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a competition their defensive frailty ensured they are not in this season.
There was more back pain, or rather pain at the back, for Wenger yesterday in the Community Shield.
His men failed to react to a short corner as Willian picked out Cesc Fabregas and Granit Xhaka made a right mess of clearing the ex-Arsenal man’s cross, sending it flying high up into the air.
Next Granit was more like Flaky as he failed to put up much of an aerial challenge against Gary Cahill and suddenly the ball was at unmarked Moses’ feet for him to prod home.
Sadly we don’t know what Wenger, having marched back to his bench still with those hands pressed against his lower back, said to assistant Steve Bould.
Surge
I bet it he didn’t say: “That was a tad unlucky, wasn’t it, Stephen?”
Maybe there could be relief from the back pain for Wenger in the intimidating shape of Sead Kolasinac.
The muscular Bosnian looks like he can handle himself and is capable of adding some steel to the often flimsy Arsenal defence.
Wenger said: “We have players who are pumped up in the gym and players who are born strong. He’s the second part!”
He got his debut chance in the 32nd minute after captain Per Mertesacker had to go off following an accidental elbow to the head by Cahill.
Signed on a free from Schalke, Kolasinac seems destined to become a cult figure at the north London side, taking no time at all to surge out of his position to the left of the three-man defence and power at the boys in blue.
Then he headed the equaliser in the 82nd minute that came from Xhaka’s free-kick, given after Pedro was sent off for raking his studs down Mohamed Elneny’s leg.
It set up the penalty shoot-out, won 4-1 by the Gunners, who did not miss a kick.
Further positives for Wenger included an excellent debut by £52m striker Alexandre Lacazette, who looked to adjust to the English game with the minimum of fuss.
In contrast, Chelsea’s new £70m hitman Alvaro Morato appeared ill at ease after coming on in the 72nd minute, slicing a volley horribly wide before missing the target again in the shoot-out.
It is madness to judge the prospects of champions Chelsea and FA Cup winners Arsenal on what is really no more than a hyped-up friendly.
But Blues boss Antonio Conte’s fury at Pedro’s dismissal and the Gunners’ delight when Olivier Giroud despatched the winning spot-kick showed both teams recognise there’s merit in going into the new season with some silverware in the display cabinet already.