Arsenal are heading to the group stages of the Uefa Champions League courtesy of a vital goal from summer recruit Alexis Sanchez. Femi writes about the long night at the Emirates.
It was a tight and nervy game. Arsenal were at brink of conceding but resilient defending saw them escape with a lone goal that guarantees a place in club’s football most prestigious tournament.
Arsene Wenger, probably sensing the intensity of the encounter, picked Laurent Koscienly over the young Calum Chambers in the heart of the defense. He had no luck however in the attacking department.
The Gunners were without their most influential attacker, who showed glimpse of his importance in the squad last weekend by coming off the bench to level matter at Goodison Park. But it ended in despair in the death when a ball struck the ankle of the French forward that rules him out till New Year.
With Giroud absent, the manager opted for Alexis Sanchez, and got the reward of a decisive goal. Yet we observed the frugality of the team’s attack, in desperate need of a tall figure that can hold up play, handing Midfielders room to operate in the final third.
Giroud is out injured till NEWYEAR
Make no mistake he is an outstanding player. His pace can be menacing for defenders. Still, Arsenal’s attacking prowess gives no room for a player like Sanchez as the head figure.
The Chilean who is not accustomed to the role, dropped deep on numerous occasions last night to receive possession, then tried to spread play to either flanks- In contrast to the orthodox long balls intended for Giroud to hold up, granting attacking midfielders more space to exploit.
However if the former Barcelona talisman wasn’t theatrical in an unfamiliar role, what we know is the 25 -year old never gives up, and it was evident as he bagged his first goal and it was a crucial one in the end.
After a Besiktas defender headed clear a Mathieu Debuchy cross, the diminutive Jack Wilshere kept the pressure alive and found team mate Mesut Ozil, who tantalizingly returned possession, with Sanchez in best position to hit the ball first time, the Englishman timed his run giving Sanchez time to score his debut goal with ease.
At the other end, the presence of Demba Ba continued to intimidate the gunners defense, yet in realistic terms, the visitors looked toothless.
Understandably, they might feel they should have been awarded two penalties, which frankly could have been given on another day, but the host had opportunities to kill the game off too.
Wilshere tackle could have resulted in a penalty.
Demba Ba had a chance to hand an indispensable away goal, but he had himself to blame for failing to connect with the ball.
They were stupefying moments in the game too. Youngster Calum Chambers came on after the assistant linesman permitted his entry, but the referee probably wanting more attention booked the England born for coming on apparently without his permission.
Arsenal finished the game with one man less. Debuchy was sent off after an earlier booking and it certainly gave Besiktas a lifeline which they failed to capitalize on.
After the game, Arsenal manager confirmed Giroud is out for atleast four months and denied rumors linking the club to Nikola Zigic or Danny Welbeck.
Unless the manager wants Sanchez to specialize in his new role which could frankly take him time to adapt, yet, the gunners must show ambition by recruiting a prime figure in the attack.
In Manchester City, Stevan Jovetic is scoring goals. Yet they have players like Aguero and Dzeko that can come on and make an impact. An illustration was the thumping of Liverpool. The former came off the bench to seal a deserved victory for the Citizens infront of their home crowd.
Chelsea have that luxury too. Diego Costa is scoring goal, and any misdemeanor could see Drogba or Torres in his place.
For Arsenal, they have a speedster who has barely settled. On the bench, they have an untested youngster in Yaya Sanogo that hasn’t scored a goal in a competitive match for his club. Joel Campbell was used mostly on the left flank while on loan, and finally Lukas Podolski’s future at the NorthLondon club is hanging on a noose.
Arsene Wenger must spend big to bring an established striker to the club or risks a familiar fate like last season where they squandered a healthy 7 points gap.
by Greenstarnetwork admin..
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