In what started as a mountain to climb for our Belgian hosts, almost turned to a nervy last stanza as they eventually lead by two only to scupper that advantage late on as goals from Alex Lacazette and Bukayo Saka secured a point a piece and (fortunately) top spot in the group.
With the result elsewhere having a major impact on the group, and resulting permutations being one of several, the Group F outcome was never going to be clear until the full time whistle both in Belgium and in Germany. A safe and conservative but rotated team from Freddie Ljungberg, with a few square pegs in round holes (as needs must), on paper was enough to beat Standard. However, it was yet another sluggish start and lapse after lapse in defence was creating endless but needless pressure coming our way. Starting with a back three, Luiz, Sokratis and Mavropanos just didn't seem to get going, settle their cool or settle their play. Somehow they made it through to half time at 0-0 but Liege were by far on top, and looking to press home the advantage.
Come the second half, it was more of the same and Liege soon scored. 47 and 69 were the damaging minutes as the hosts raised it a gear or two. Admittedly there were deflected fortunes to both goals, both wrong footing the diving Emi Martinez. However, the defending is just shocking. Standing off two yards with not enough pressure gives the forward the opportunity to shoot and with such distance between defender and attacking, the risk of a deflection is so high. Arsenal undoing themselves yet again.
But the Gunners soon sparked into life, knowing how embarassing a defeat would look, it took an excellent display from make shift left back Bukayo Saka to turn things round for his team. The young Englishman crossed for Lacazette to finish from close range in the 78th minute followed by an impressive piece of build up play before curling home an even better right footed finish in the 81st. Then it was Arsenal's turn to press on. A third goal wasn't to be but the real question is why did it take a two-goal deficit (again) to get us going?
Ratings
Freddie Ljungberg - 7
His hands were fairly tied for selection with so many injuries and the need to rest as much of his first team as possible. There were a few square pegs in holes but it was needs must. He set out a good enough team to win that game, it was down to the players that they didn't.
Emi Martinez - 6.5
Much like Bernd Leno, Martinez is a very handy goalkeeper and never does much wrong but behind a poor defence, he's often a one-man wall. Wrong footed on both goals but good throughout.
Dinos Mavropanos - 4
A return to first team action wasn't as good as many would have hoped but he's been without high level football for a long time now. He needs more opportunities to get back to the prospective level he was at.
Sokratis - 3.5
Still a head case in terms of risk taking and needless mistakes. Puts himself and his side under pressure far too often.
David Luiz - 3.5
Again, not good enough from someone so experienced. He needs to marshal the defence and lead the line. He delivered neither and continues to be a concern.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 3.5
Although not his position, we've seen far better from Maitland-Niles at RB and RWB in the past. He was nowhere near it last night. Sloppy, slow and complacent...we need Bellerin back.
Matteo Guendouzi - 5
Nothing bad, nothing good from the Frenchman really. He did the basics well but never really took control of the game like we know he can.
Joe Willock - 5.5
Fractionally better than his partner as he at least brings a consistent driving force carrying his side forward. Quiet on the creativity front but did deliver plenty of hard work.
Bukayo Saka - 8
A high quality performance from a young man who played in two roles, both completely out of position. An assist and a goal - what more can you ask for from a left footed winger being asked to play both LWB and LB?
Emile Smith-Rowe - 6
Created from midfield nicely and linked up well with his colleagues, and in his return to the first team it was good enough. Next step is to deliver some real tangibles in goals and assists.
Reiss Nelson - 4.5
Quiet from the dynamic winger who's been craving that chance. He is lively and dangerous but flitters in and out of the game. A goal or two would be huge for his confidence.
Alex Lacazette - 6
Other than the first goal, there wasn't a whole lot else from the Frenchman who lead the line. He put himself about and was pretty in link up play but when it came to shooting (on target), it wasn't any better than we've seen of late.
Calum Chambers - 7
Only a short period but hugely impressive and a game changer from right back.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7
As impressive as Chambers, the young Brazilian changed the game with his fine wide play and direct attacking desire.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - N/A
@craigbennett10
With the result elsewhere having a major impact on the group, and resulting permutations being one of several, the Group F outcome was never going to be clear until the full time whistle both in Belgium and in Germany. A safe and conservative but rotated team from Freddie Ljungberg, with a few square pegs in round holes (as needs must), on paper was enough to beat Standard. However, it was yet another sluggish start and lapse after lapse in defence was creating endless but needless pressure coming our way. Starting with a back three, Luiz, Sokratis and Mavropanos just didn't seem to get going, settle their cool or settle their play. Somehow they made it through to half time at 0-0 but Liege were by far on top, and looking to press home the advantage.
Come the second half, it was more of the same and Liege soon scored. 47 and 69 were the damaging minutes as the hosts raised it a gear or two. Admittedly there were deflected fortunes to both goals, both wrong footing the diving Emi Martinez. However, the defending is just shocking. Standing off two yards with not enough pressure gives the forward the opportunity to shoot and with such distance between defender and attacking, the risk of a deflection is so high. Arsenal undoing themselves yet again.
But the Gunners soon sparked into life, knowing how embarassing a defeat would look, it took an excellent display from make shift left back Bukayo Saka to turn things round for his team. The young Englishman crossed for Lacazette to finish from close range in the 78th minute followed by an impressive piece of build up play before curling home an even better right footed finish in the 81st. Then it was Arsenal's turn to press on. A third goal wasn't to be but the real question is why did it take a two-goal deficit (again) to get us going?
Ratings
Freddie Ljungberg - 7
His hands were fairly tied for selection with so many injuries and the need to rest as much of his first team as possible. There were a few square pegs in holes but it was needs must. He set out a good enough team to win that game, it was down to the players that they didn't.
Emi Martinez - 6.5
Much like Bernd Leno, Martinez is a very handy goalkeeper and never does much wrong but behind a poor defence, he's often a one-man wall. Wrong footed on both goals but good throughout.
Dinos Mavropanos - 4
A return to first team action wasn't as good as many would have hoped but he's been without high level football for a long time now. He needs more opportunities to get back to the prospective level he was at.
Sokratis - 3.5
Still a head case in terms of risk taking and needless mistakes. Puts himself and his side under pressure far too often.
David Luiz - 3.5
Again, not good enough from someone so experienced. He needs to marshal the defence and lead the line. He delivered neither and continues to be a concern.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 3.5
Although not his position, we've seen far better from Maitland-Niles at RB and RWB in the past. He was nowhere near it last night. Sloppy, slow and complacent...we need Bellerin back.
Matteo Guendouzi - 5
Nothing bad, nothing good from the Frenchman really. He did the basics well but never really took control of the game like we know he can.
Joe Willock - 5.5
Fractionally better than his partner as he at least brings a consistent driving force carrying his side forward. Quiet on the creativity front but did deliver plenty of hard work.
Bukayo Saka - 8
A high quality performance from a young man who played in two roles, both completely out of position. An assist and a goal - what more can you ask for from a left footed winger being asked to play both LWB and LB?
Emile Smith-Rowe - 6
Created from midfield nicely and linked up well with his colleagues, and in his return to the first team it was good enough. Next step is to deliver some real tangibles in goals and assists.
Reiss Nelson - 4.5
Quiet from the dynamic winger who's been craving that chance. He is lively and dangerous but flitters in and out of the game. A goal or two would be huge for his confidence.
Alex Lacazette - 6
Other than the first goal, there wasn't a whole lot else from the Frenchman who lead the line. He put himself about and was pretty in link up play but when it came to shooting (on target), it wasn't any better than we've seen of late.
Calum Chambers - 7
Only a short period but hugely impressive and a game changer from right back.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7
As impressive as Chambers, the young Brazilian changed the game with his fine wide play and direct attacking desire.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - N/A
@craigbennett10
Comments
Post a Comment