Arsenal struck by Griez lightning
10-man Atletico hold Wenger’s men: Europa League
One-nil to the Arsenal. it was never going to be enough. even before Atletico Madrid equalised, there was always the fear Arsenal might not be able to defend such a slender lead next week.
Antoine Griezmann’s goal with eight minutes remaining confirmed it. Madrid, reduced to ten men after nine minutes, had barely been able to get out of their half for much of the game. When they did, they scored.
What a soft, soft goal it was, too. Danny Welbeck lost possession and a long ball was pumped up for Griezmann to chase. it was the first real defensive work for laurent Koscielny all half, and he messed up. He allowed Griezmann to get away slightly, then kicked a panicked clearance into his own face. David Ospina saved but the ball went loose. Shkodran Mustafi, covering, slipped over, Griezmann scored. it was a brilliant result for Atletico, desperate for Arsenal.
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger still believes his men can prevail.
He said: ‘i think, looking at the performance, it was the worst possible result for us. We have to go there in a positive mood and qualify. We can only look at ourselves.
‘We have to go over there with absolute belief we can do it.
‘We gave away a goal from nowhere and have to overcome the disappointment. i think we could already be qualified tonight.
‘it didn’t happen, their goalkeeper made many saves and you see that they have the quality up front to take advantage of a mistake.’ Wenger also believes his side were on the wrong side of a refereeing decision in the build-up to Griezmann’s leveller.
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Welbeck appeared to be fouled just moments before the Frenchman scored. ‘i think it was a foul on Welbeck. Did the referee over-compensate for the early sending off? Yes, it is possible,’ said Wenger. Frankly, there will never have been a better chance to put Atletico Madrid away. Down to ten men within ten minutes, Diego Simeone sent to the stand after 13, Diego Costa on the bench, not quite fit enough to be involved — Arsenal could not have asked for better circumstances. They scored through an Alexandre lacazette header after 61 minutes but could then not prevent the away goal. if the pesky Costa is back, in front of a raucous home
crowd, knowing even a goalless draw will do, it is hard to imagine Arsenal will hold. And yes, Madrid were favourites here — but with ten men for 80 minutes, and a charismatic manager in exile high in the stands? This was a huge opportunity lost for Arsenal.
Had Welbeck got the merest touch on an lacazette (left) pass across the face of goal after 67 minutes, this could have been close to perfect.
instead, lacazette’s header from a Jack Wilshere cross was all they could manage. it was a well taken goal but Griezmann’s equaliser makes it seem inadequate.
Arsenal must score in Madrid and not concede. nobody is thinking fairytale right now.
There is a peculiar form of frustration in struggling to break down ten men and the tension was only too evident as Arsenal threw themselves against the massed ranks of Atletico’s resistance throughout the first half. not just one man down, but
one manager down, too, Simeone joining Sime Vrsaljko in being banished from the game.
For the rest of the match, Madrid protested that first offences were not dealt with as harshly again by referee Clement Turpin. They had a point.
if Vrsaljko’s initial booking for a foul on Wilshere looked justified, his second for a challenge on lacazette seemed more unfortunate, catching his opponent through bad timing more than malevolence.
Simeone was furious, waving his arms as if demanding a recount. From there, he was an accident waiting to happen.
When he considered Hector Bellerin had been treated leniently for a foul, his anger took him on to the pitch.
Turpin arrived and sent him to the stands. He stood at the back of the directors’ box in front of two white doors, like an agitated security detail.
The home side had already gone close on seven minutes when a Welbeck cross was taken on the volley by lacazette, smashed into the turf, rearing up to clip the outside of the near post. Arsenal continued to threaten.
But then, strangely, the course of the game shifted. The last 15 minutes of the first half belonged to Madrid who, having absorbed the pressure, began creating chances of their own. Thomas Partey made a powerful run forward before finding Griezmann, whose shot was blocked by David Ospina. ARSENAL (4-3-2-1): Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Xhaka, Wilshere; Ozil, Welbeck; Lacazette. Subs not used: Cech, Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, MaitlandNiles, Kolasinac, Nketiah. Booked: None. ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Hernandez; Correa (Savic 75), Saul, Partey, Koke; Gameiro (Gabi 65), Griezmann (Torres 85). Subs not used: Werner, Costa, Vitolo, Olabe. Booked: Vrsaljko. Sent off: Vrsaljko. Referee: Clement Turpin (France). Attendance: 59,066.
Wenger woe as Gunners pay for fluffed chances against 10-man rivals after being struck by...