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  • Writer's pictureAdam Perry

A Lack of Effort

Arsenal were stunned by Slavia Prague as the Czech side scored a 93rd minute equaliser to make it 1-1 in the first leg of the Europa League quarter final.


The Gunners had the lion share of the chances but struggled to capitalise, leaving the door open for Slavia Prague to steal an away goal.


Bellerín, Xhaka, Saka, Smith Rowe and Willian came into the side as Aubameyang and Pépé dropped to the bench following their poor performance against Liverpool.


It was a night where Arsenal struggled to get going, relying on Saka and Smith Rowe to drive the team forward with their runs into the wide channels.


Time after time Saka delivered teasing balls into the box only for the chance to be squandered over and over.


It required the introduction of Nicolas Pépé to break the deadlock. Aubameyang won the ball on the half way line and slid through Pépé on the right. The winger won the footrace and dinked the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper into the far side of the net to make it 1-0.


Pépé 1-0


From there Arsenal seemed to relinquish their authority on the game, allowing Slavia Prague to push forward.


Slavia Prague won a corner in added time as Cédric headed the ball away following a Leno save. The ensuing corner evaded several Arsenal heads, instead flicking off Pépé’s thigh towards the back post where Holes headed the ball into the net.


It was a game that once again typified the struggles for much of this season, a reliance on the brilliance of a select few, a lack of clinical finishing, poor work rate and late substitutions.


It leaves Arsenal needing a win in the return leg on Thursday night so hopefully the stakes will drive an improved performance from the team.



Arsenal slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates last Saturday as Premier League football returned.


In the early kick-off, West Brom beat Chelsea 5-2, but somehow, this game may have been worse.


The Gunners were without Smith Rowe, Saka, Luiz and Xhaka, four essential components to the team in the past few months and their absence resulted in a woeful performance.


Arteta started Ødegaard, Pépé, Aubameyang and Lacazette for the first time, an attacking four that looks tantalising on paper but the sad reality is that those players, aside from Ødegaard, encourage each other’s lack of effort and commitment.


Liverpool dominated the ball from the off, camping in Arsenal’s half. But for all their dominance, they were reduced to taking wayward long range efforts which never really troubled Leno.


The issue for Arsenal was that there was a lacklustre press from the front 3 and every time the ball was recovered, it was pumped long, gifting the ball back to Liverpool.


Partey and Ødegaard were the only two who showed any quality on the ball but their lack of options prevented them from making a significant impact on the game.


The difference of having Smith Rowe and Saka’s dynamism could have been enough to completely change the game, but with Aubameyang and Pépé out wide, Arsenal offered no threat.


For all of Arsenal’s struggles, Liverpool struggled to capitalise for the first 64 minutes, having to rely on substitute Diogo Jota to change the game.


The first goal came from an excellent Trent Alexander Arnold cross, picking out Jota who thumped the header in. The second came with Gabriel’s tackle falling back to Salah who slotted the ball through the legs of Leno to score. The third came from poor Arsenal build up play, allowing Liverpool to win the ball back high and working it to Jota who smashed in his second.


Equally as concerning as the performance was the injury to Kieran Tierney on the stroke of half time. The defender went down holding his knee and was forced off just before the break.


Arsenal have since announced that Tierney has suffered a knee ligament injury which will keep him out for 4 to 6 weeks.


The continued reliance on a select few players is a persisting concern and one that Arteta has to try and address during the summer transfer window.


Another concerning issue is the mentality of the team without the select few. The unwillingness to dig deep and work hard seems to be infectious within the squad and has been a major factor in many of Arsenal’s abject performances this season.


Arteta’s cultural revolution has progressed since he joined but there is still a lot to be done to galvanise a hard working squad at Arsenal.



Arsenal travel to North on Sunday for a 7:30pm kick off against bottom of the league Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Blades have had a torrid season, picking up just 14 points and looking like a shoe in for relegation. It provides Arsenal with the perfect opportunity to bounce back having not won in 4 games.


On Thursday night, Arsenal travel to the Czech Republic to play Slavia Prague in the second leg of the Europa League quarter finals. Having conceded a late equaliser in the first leg, Arsenal will have to score in order to progress, hopefully encouraging the team to come out firing. The Europa League is the only thing Arsenal really have left to play for this season, hopefully they use that as motivation.


Predictions:

Sheffield United 0 – 2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 1 – 2 Arsenal


Adam Perry – 09/04/2021

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