Özil’s support had been as relentless as the pressure that eventually broke Rapid. Leno then got away with a third blooper when Fountas lofted over, but almost immediately Mohamed Elneny sent Bellerín away and the right-back’s centre was a gift for Aubameyang. David Luiz leapt to convert Nicolas Pépé’s free-kick, the Rapid keeper Richard Strebinger having charged out unwisely and left the goal open. Arsenal were rocking but the scales tipped after Arteta’s changes. Nice to start with 3 points!□□Who was your Man Of The Match? My 4 options □□ #YaGunnersYa #M1Ö #UEL Mesut Özil October 22, 2020īefore anyone could mutter “Emiliano Martínez”, Leno hadscuffed another kick out to Fountas, atoning by turning his low effort wide. We need to keep the right balance but will keep encouraging them to do it at the right moments.” It was a fair assessment given the box-to-box goals Arsenal have already scored under Arteta on more illustrious stages than this. “We should have kicked the ball into the stand but to recognise that from the outside is different. “If anything it’s my fault because I demand we do these things,” Arteta said. Kara’s touch diverted it to Fountas and the prolific Greece international, a danger throughout, thrilled the 3,000 watching fans with a clinical angled finish. Rapid had created the better half-chances during a low-key opening period, Leno saving a back-flick from the Barnsley loanee Marcel Ritzmeier, and the warning signs were not heeded in a sloppy start to the second half.įountas’s goal was a calamity for Leno, who received the ball under pressure from David Luiz and saw Ercan Kara anticipate his pass. I think he held the midfield by himself in the second half when we were taking more chances.”Īrsenal were in that position because they brought problems on themselves. “He looked really solid, really comfortable. “I think he was fantastic and there’s much more to come from him,” Arteta said. Thomas Partey did precisely the kind of job he was bought to do on an impressive full debut for Arsenal. Some of Partey’s predecessors have been hailed prematurely as the answer to Arsenal’s midfield issues but the Ghanaian does appear a class above. ![]() One piece of anticipation before half-time, tracking back to snick the ball away from Fountas as he looked to run clear, was first-rate and there was plenty to admire about some of his crossfield switches, too. On this evidence Partey, excellent in possession and quick to sense danger, will do exactly what he was bought for. They offered little until they were given a game to chase, although in the context of their Europa League campaign there is pleasure to be taken in safely negotiating their toughest-looking assignment in Group B.Īnother bright spot was the performance of Thomas Partey, who exuded presence and composure in central midfield on his first start since arriving from Atlético Madrid. ![]() ![]() For long periods Özil, who kept up a perky running commentary on social media, might fairly have noted that Arsenal have still not found a way to mount a sustained threat. It was hard on the Austrian side but an illustration of what happens when you have extra quality in reserve: nothing more or less.
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