Players pay respects in Arsenal win
AGAme of football took place, and an entertaining one at that. it was competitive and noisy. But the minute’s silence for Her majesty Queen elizabeth ii, separating the two halves, is what will resonate with those here in St Gallen.
News of the monarch’s death broke at half-time, during which some Arsenal supporters sang an impromptu national anthem. The players returned to observe a period of respect before the second half resumed and images of the Queen were displayed on two screens, the teams joining arms around the centre circle.
it should be noted that a minority of home fans were not as mannerly as the rest of the stadium, and were duly booed by Arsenal’s following at the opposite end of Kybun Park. The travelling contingent were largely muted in the moments that followed, a hush only broken by what proved to be eddie Nketiah’s winning goal on 62 minutes. it will likely be the last they cheer for a short period as our country enters a period of mourning.
it seems somewhat meaningless to dissect the 90 minutes which surrounded the announcement of the Queen’s passing, but Arsenal’s victory was deserved and yet further evidence of their progress under mikel Arteta.
Brazilian debutant marquinhos was the star, scoring one and creating the other. At 19 and arriving from Sao Paulo this summer with the billing of being one for the future, the forward looks as much one for now.
This fixture was only being played in St Gallen because of a clash with the Diamond League athletics in Zurich. marquinhos could have turned up at either event and still emerged a winner, so electric was his presence down Arsenal’s right. He had to hurdle a fair few challenges, too.
His goal, on 16 minutes, was dripping in class and confidence. Arsenal broke down the left, Fabio Vieira — making his first start — freeing Nketiah, who swept a cross to the far post. marquinhos strode on to it and silenced the partisan locals with a first-time steer into the top corner. it was the finish of a leading man, not a teenager cast as an understudy this season.
Arsenal dominated the remainder of the period yet went in level when Nketiah fouled Fidan Aliti in the penalty area one minute shy of the interval and defender mirlind Kryeziu converted from the spot.
A previous version of the Gunners may have crumbled, but there is a resilience about this team that is consigning such flakiness to the past. Speaking of history, it is said that Saint Gall — from whom this city takes its name — had the power to exorcise demons. This, then, was a fitting place to embark upon a journey in which Arteta intends to rid Arsenal of their european torment, a wait of 28 years and counting for continental silverware.
Their winning start was sealed when Nketiah made amends for the penalty by heading home from marquinhos’s deep centre, a cross of delightful precision.
The victory should not be underestimated in its importance, with
Premier League points and europa League progress intrinsically linked. Win your group and you are spared the round of 32, instead advancing straight to the last 16. That means Arsenal would avoid Thursday night football before games at Aston Villa and Leicester in February, should they finish top.
Such an incentive was no doubt factored into Arteta’s team selection. Yes, he showed seven changes from Sunday’s defeat at manchester United but the starting Xi did not have you scrolling through the pen pictures of the Under 23s.
rather, there was genuine intrigue in seeing marquinhos for the first time in Arsenal’s colours, as well as a maiden start for £34million Portuguese playmaker Vieira. American matt Turner also debuted in goal.
But while Vieira was impressive in linking midfield to attack — there is a cut of compatriot Bernardo Silva about him — it was marquinhos who was the game’s standout player.
As for the occasion, well that will always be remembered for reasons other than the football. ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Turner 5; Tomiyasu 6.5, Holding 6.5, Gabriel 6.5, Tierney 7 (Zinchenko 69min, 6); Lokonga 7, Xhaka 7; MARQUINHOS 8 (Saka 69, 6), Vieira 7 (Odegaard 69, 6), Martinelli 6.5; Nketiah 7.5 (Jesus 78). Scorers: Marquinhos 16, Nketiah 62. Booked: None. Manager: Mikel Arteta 7. Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (Swe) 7. Attendance: Not provided.