Arsenal Vs Paris Saint-Germain: 5 Things We Learned
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 13: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates after he scores to make it 1-1 with Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at Parc des Princes on September 13, 2016 in Paris, . (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal played out an unconvincing 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain. Here are five things we learned from an exciting and rather confusing match.
For the second game in succession, Arsenal’s performance was dire and yet result excellent. Before the match, if offered a point, I would have been hard pushed to turn that down. Opponents Paris Saint-Germain, even without the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Luiz, are still a quality side and this was a tough task for the Gunners. A 1-1 draw is not a result to be scoffed at, but the performances must start improving soon.
Here are five things we learned from Tuesday night.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria (L) vies with Arsenal’s Spanish defender Nacho Monreal during the UEFA Champions League Group A football match between Paris-Saint-Germain vs Arsenal FC, on September 13, 2016 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
5. Nacho Monreal’s Struggles Continue
Last season, Arsenal boasted the best full-back duo in the Premier League. Hector Bellerin broke onto the scene as a fresh-faced, energetic defender boasting truly electric pace and a willingness to push forward when allowed. He was more than matched by his compatriot Nacho Monreal at left-back, who, although far more advanced in years and experience, finally showed a far more consistent ability, especially defensively.
While Bellerin has not played as well this season thus far, he has still been a reliable option for Arsene Wenger. Monreal, though, has not replicated last season’s form, and with inklings of a decline in performance from the Watford 3-1 win before the international break, such doubts were confirmed on Tuesday night.
Monreal was unable to handle the fluid movement of Angel Di Maria and Serge Aurier down the PSG right flank. While he was not offered much help by Alex Iwobi playing ahead of him, the vast space down Arsenal’s left wing was exploited repeatedly by both Di Maria and Aurier. The goal also came from Monreal failing to get tighter to Aurier and blocking the cross. He instead stood off him, without ever pressing the ball or trying to stop the ball in. Cavani popped up and headed home and after 42 seconds, Arsenal were 1-0 down already. Not a good night for Monreal.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 13: Edinson Cavani of Paris St Germain celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at Parc des Princes on September 13, 2016 in Paris, . (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
4. Edinson Cavani Infuriatingly Inconsistent
A criticism that has often been labelled at current Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been his wasteful finishing. His link up play, physical presence as the spearhead of attack and aerial prowess is incredibly important for this Gunners’ side, but he simply does not score enough goals.
Similarly, PSG forward Edinson Cavani has finishing issues that he has been criticised for for some time, and on Tuesday, such weaknesses reared their ugly head once more. Cavani missed a host of excellent chances, including at least two one-on-ones, one of which he allowed David Ospina to spread himself well at his feet and the other, in trying to round, Ospina, the Colombian keeper terrifically stretched out a right hand and tipped the ball wide, dispossessing Cavani in the process.
It was, though, a confusing performance from the Uruguayan. In every facet of the game, Cavani was utterly outstanding. His movement off the ball was utterly sensational, the timing of his runs in behind lethal and his touch and hold up play wonderful in linking and holding up play. He outstanding in every facet of the game bar one: finishing. Cavani was fantastic and yet terrible simultaneously.
Angel Di Maria of Paris and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Uefa Champions League match between Paris Saint Germain and Arsenal at Parc des Princes on September 13, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport) (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
3. What’s Granit Xhaka’s Use?
When a player is added for £35 million – especially from Arsenal who had only spent over £30 millon on two players in their history; Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez – it is expected that they start every game that they are fit. As of writing, Granit Xhaka was fit (there is no reason to doubt this as he came off the bench).
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Therefore, when the team sheet was released with the Swiss international once again on the bench after he sat out last weekend’s match with Southampton, it was a rather hefty surprise. There is heavy criticism for Wenger in not playing his latest toy.
Either, Xhaka is worth the £35 million paid to acquire his services and Wenger got his team selection all wrong after such a lacklustre midfield performance with him simply sat on the bench watching, or Xhaka should not have started as he is not good enough and consequently Wenger wasted £35 million.
Whatever the case, on Tuesday, Arsenal’s midfield were wholly outclassed by the fluid quartet of Marco Verratti, Adrien Rabiot, Blaise Matuidi and Grzegorz Krychowiak without the services of Xhaka. That lays at the doorstep of Wenger.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 13: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at Parc des Princes on September 13, 2016 in Paris, . (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
2. Olivier Giroud And Alexis Sanchez Need Each Other
The most worrying aspect of Tuesday night’s game was Arsenal’s inability to create any sort of goalscoring chance. They looked devoid of creativity, lacking in pace and precision in attacking areas, without incision or decisiveness, continually turning square or backwards without looking to push forward.
While the substitutions did not wholly solve such attacking issues, they certainly gave Arsenal a far greater threat. Much of this was due to the positioning of Olivier Giroud, the man who had Wenger turned to in search of an attacking spark, and Alexis Sanchez, the man who moved wide to make way for Giroud as the central striker.
Sanchez as a centre-forward did not work for one simple reason. Wenger attempted to play a counter attacking style without a threat in behind. Sanchez far prefers to drop deep, pick up the ball to feet, turn and then drive with the ball at opposing defenders. If he is the key outlet and he is dropping almost into his own half, then the team as a whole has no attacking threat on the ball.
When Giroud came on, however, Sanchez moved wide where he has far more freedom to roam deeper to pick up the ball without compromising the Arsenal outlet. Giroud’s physical presence up front was much-needed, allowing the Gunners to get up the pitch with him holding up play, and it ultimately brought the equaliser through the right foot of Alexis.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 13: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on September 13, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
1. Arsene Wenger Continues To Be Tactically Naive
A key criticism levelled at Arsene Wenger throughout his tenure in North London, particularly in the past decade, has been his unwillingness to adapt to the style and quality of his opponents. Two or three seasons ago, Arsenal were thumped repeatedly by the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City with Wenger persisting with a possession-based style of play that left his side vulnerable to the counter attack in almost every game they played.
It is a tactical naivety that seems to have never left him. For a manager who is so highly regarded as an intelligent, thoughtful coach, he certainly seems to lack the understanding of adaptability. Such tactical weaknesses were once again on full display on Tuesday night.
It was a match plagued with strategic errors. Firstly, the lack of physicality and energy in the midfield, secondly, trying to play on the counter without having a pacy outlet willing to run in behind and lastly, the naive abandon of Arsenal’s vulnerable defence was criminal.
Wenger must learn to set his side with far more instruction and deliberation, rather than sending out a side devoid of ideas and tactical understanding. It is continually hurting the team and will continue to do so this coming year. On Tuesday, Arsenal got away with it. Against a more clinical striker, they might not be so lucky.